SAN JOSE — In a significant move towards ocean conservation, over two dozen countries signed a hopeful “declaration of peace with the ocean” on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Costa Rica. This declaration was the culmination of a multiday meeting aimed at preparing for a major United Nations conference scheduled for next year.
Among the signatories were Germany, Spain, Sweden, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Israel, South Korea, Costa Rica, and France. The latter two countries will co-host the third UN Ocean Conference in June next year in Nice, France.
The declaration states, “We are committed to scaling up transformative ocean actions to support nature-positive economies based on the best available science and scientific information, traditional knowledge, and innovation.”
Approximately one year ahead of the significant conference, national representatives, scientists, and international experts convened in San Jose for two days of preparatory discussions.
Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre Tinoco emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “The ocean can no longer endure our mistreatment and indifference. That is why we in Costa Rica have decided that it is time for us to declare peace.”
Li Junhua, United Nations Undersecretary-General for Social Affairs, underscored the importance of ocean protection at the “Immersed in Change” meeting, stating that it is “not an option but an imperative.”
The peace declaration outlines twelve “Ocean Actions,” including the implementation of several international accords related to ocean protection agreed upon last year. One of the key agreements is the landmark high seas treaty, which facilitates the creation of marine protected areas beyond countries’ exclusive economic zones.
Adopted after more than 15 years of negotiations, the high seas treaty aims to extend environmental protections to international waters, which constitute over 60 percent of the world’s oceans. This treaty marks a pivotal step in the global effort to safeguard marine environments and biodiversity.
Source: ManilaTimes.net