Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly
13 April 2022
Your Excellency, Surangel S. Whipps Jr., President of Palau,
Your Excellency, Mr. John F. Kerry, U.S Special Presidential Envoy for Climate,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honor to join you today.
My sincere congratulations to President Whipps and the people of Palau on co-hosting the Our Ocean Conference, together with the United States.
Small islanders are an interesting group. We may be worlds apart – literally an entire ocean and thousands of kilometers may divide us – and yet we are kin.
That is because we share so many experiences. Whether fighting for our recognition on the global stage, or our reliance ontourism and exports, or our rallying call for action on climate change, we share so much in common.
When one of us excels, we all excel, and today it feels like I am at home.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The issues to be addressed here are important to all countries. The Ocean connects all of us; connects humanity; connects our planet.
Whether it is the rich biodiversity – much of which remains to be found – or the processes that keep our world alive:. Whether its eradicating hunger, supporting livelihoods, providing conduits for movement of goods, people and supplies, the ocean is vital.
Which is why the 2030 Agenda recognizes in Goal 14, the need to conserve, and sustainably use the ocean and seas. Why the agenda recognizes the interlinkages between the ocean ecosystem, and the ocean economy, with other goals.
I am deeply appreciative, therefore, that the Our Ocean Conference continues to marshall global momentum in this regard. Together, over the past six conferences, we have made over 1,400 commitments at over $90 billion, protecting at least five million square kilometers of Ocean.
We must be proud of these accomplishments and let them give us hope; and at the same time, we must be ever mindful that much more remains to be done.
We must expand protected areas,– less than 8% of the Ocean isprotected.
We must invest in solid, reliable, and accessible Ocean science data and information. And use that to inform policies and programmes. Which is why the decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development is timely and important.
We must recognize and address the threats facing our ocean. The latest IPCC report us a wake up call. A warming planet means a warming ocean. More carbondioxide means greater ocean acidification, greater loss of marine ecosystems, and greater loss of marine biodiversity.
We must move ambitiously forward in tackling plastic pollution. Just last week, researchers found, for the first time, microplastics in lungs of humans, highlighting the scale and severity of the problem.
We must act now, and we must act together!
Excellencies,
This year, we will have several opportunities to build momentum for ocean action.
This year we will commemorate the 40th anniversary since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea. This occasion gives us the opportunity to review and renew our commitment to the ocean – its governance, its sustainable use and its conservation.
The negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction continues, with the aim of concluding this year.
The ocean conference in Portugal will be a key moment to supercharge our efforts and to ensure that we are delivering on the commitments made.
At the end of this month, we will also review progress on the New Urban Agenda. The linkages between sustainable urbanization and the sustainable management of resources such as the oceans is well-established. What happens on land affects the ocean.
And with my high level event on sustainable tourism which will look at a blue/green recovery from the pandemic, and my high level event entitled “Moment for Nature” which will take stock of the many environmental summits taking place this year, I intend to do my part.
Excellencies,
Dear friends,
The Ocean provides direct employment to 200 million people… encompassing a market valued at three trillion per year, or 5% of global GDP. Three billion people depend on the Ocean for their livelihoods.
There is no way to protect the Ocean without wading together with all relevant stakeholders.
And to do so is to the benefit of all of us. A green-blue recovery can generate up to 100 million jobs by 2050. This would increase global GDP by 2.4%, or $98 trillion by 2050.
Achieving this requires that we invest in zero emissions ocean transport and supply chains; that we better manage the process of harvesting seafood, ensuring a ‘do no harm’ approach to marine ecosystems; and that we scale up the use of renewable ocean energies, ocean mapping, and a complete ban on plastic pollution – and pollution broadly – in our ocean.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is heartening to be here, on a small island, surrounded by the vast Ocean, discussing its importance. It gives me hope that the world is finally beginning to recognize and act upon this wonderful, beautiful, and life sustaining resource.
As a policy maker who has helped shape Ocean policy, I am encouraged.
As a small islander whose home is very much threatened, I am grateful.
I thank you.
