The third conference on the ocean for Strengthen their protection and governance of the Oceanos and the most serious problems of the planet’s waters have already been put on the table.
Overheads, illegal fishing, climate change, pollution, lack of financing and scientific data are the topics that most sound these days in the French city of Nice.
The importance of oceans is key. They are the maximum climate regulators, absorbing more than 30% of the entire carbon dioxide that is created, produce 17% of the entire protein in the world and give work to many people, especially in coastal communities (especially the most vulnerable). And despite everything, this natural area is crushed every day.
The oceans, danger of death by man
Overfishing, illegal fishing, climate change, pollution, lack of financing and scientific data: countries will meet in the Third Conference on the Ocean to strengthen your protection and governance. The general director of Foreign Policy of Costa Rica, coorganizer country, explains that it is a new opportunity to change attitude.
There are plenty of reasons to protect the oceans. When talking with UN Noticias, the general director of Foreign Policy of Costa Rica explained that these great blue giants are responsible for generating 50% of the oxygen we breathe. That is, one in two breaths can be given thanks to the ocean.
The oceans are the maximum Climate Regulatorsabsorbing more than 30% of the entire carbon dioxide we create. The human being finds a great ally in them: they produce 17% of the entire protein in the world, give work to many people, especially in coastal communities, which are usually more vulnerable.
“The ocean is wonderful, it is essential. But man’s relationship with the ocean is not healthy. We are not recognizing its importance, although little by little more awareness is generated. We have overfishing, illegal fishing, climate change, pollution. We have all heard that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish, ”says Gina Guillén.
The director explains that the most important challenges are classified as threats to her health and challenges about her governance. For example, although more and more talk about the possible start of seabed mining on the high seas, scientists have warned about the possible damage it can generate.
“We do not even have information about what is at the bottom of the sea. Only 0.001% of the species of the seabed have been investigated and there is already will for the commercial interests of a few, without having scientific information, of entering and destroying the seabed where life came out. Possibly the marine genetic resources can give us the cure of cancer, they can give us the cure of the Alzheimer You have to pause and establish a new relationship between man and the ocean, ”says Guillén.
In the midst of those challenges, France and Costa Rica coorganize the third United Nations conference on the ocean that will take place in Nice, from June 9 to 13. Guillén explains that, with these conferences, they have managed to put the protection and sustainable use of the oceans at the discussions table, but emphasizes that the objective of sustainable development number 14, dedicated to this area, remains the least financed of all.
In addition, it is essential for the director to fill the existing gaps regarding scientific knowledge, and use them to make decisions based on science, both nationally and global. However, Guillén recognizes the challenges faced by states with less income. “We ask the countries to commit, work. But how do developing countries that have to choose to dedicate a few resources?”
Another objective is to sit “all on the table”, which includes heads of state and government, ministers and vice ministers.
From his participation, together with a statement that was recently agreed in the United Nations by the 193 Member States, the Nice Action Plan is expected to arise, which will aim to strengthen the implementation of measures for the protection and governance of the oceans.
Beyond the commitments to protect the oceans
Sitting everyone to the table and that they agree is a task, in itself, complex. And yet it is not enough. Therefore, the organizers will also seek to promote the ratification and implementation of international agreements of previous years, such as the high seas treaty.
“Finally, after 20 years of negotiation, we adopted the agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas outside the jurisdictions of the countries. It was a great achievement, as a Paris agreement, but for the ocean, and even more binding. We need to enter into force, but we have only 22 ratifications. We need 60”.
Another of the pending tasks is the fight against contamination by plastics. “There are many agreements that we are still negotiating and we want to generate attention that we have to adopt them, ratify them, but also implement them, for which we need money. It is also important to establish mechanisms that facilitate the monitoring of the implementation.”
When asked about the participation of the private sector, Guillén emphasizes that a financial forum will take place before the start of the conference to have its participation and the establishment of different financial mechanisms.
“This has to be a commitment of all. Public-private alliances are very important. Bringing all actors truly means all of the communities, indigenous groups, all who must be sitting at the table,” he insists.
As a coorganizer country and also one of the most committed to the environmental agenda, Costa Rica defends that Sustainability and development must go hand in hand and expect to be able to “inspire” to politicians to make more appropriate decisions for the sustainable use of oceans.
“That divorce between conservation and economic issues, no, we do not believe in that. We have demonstrated through the years that development and sustainability go hand in hand through the payment of environmental services (economic incentive for green practices) by how we have developed sustainable tourism, etc.
As for the mining mining, the country advocates the call “Precautionary extension”, a period that allows you to investigate more about it, before starting these practices.
Although he admits that the country lacks “much to walk”, especially as regards the consultation of all the actors, including fishermen and young people, Guillén emphasizes that Costa Rica has fulfilled Kunming-Montreal goals, with 30% of his ocean and protected territory.
“All Latin America has a very close relationship with the ocean (…) and all developing countries need much more support. It is not only money, but the creation of capacities. For example, the BBNJ agreement (Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions) has a mandate for the implementation of environmental impact studies for any activity that goes to the high seas.”
To conclude, Guillén highlights Costa Rica’s effort to stop talking about the oceans, and raise awareness that, from environmental point of view, there is only one. “If there is a region of the world where there is awareness of the importance of protecting the ocean is in Latin America. So I think what we have to do is work together (…) and unite countries to look for joint solutions. ”
“The ocean is wonderful. It is one. It is waiting for us to have a healthier relationship with him. This ocean conference is a real opportunity to find solutions, to identify the challenges and make connections with all the different sectors, including the financial mechanisms, to be able to implement them. In Nice, we will have a real opportunity to generate a new attitude towards the ocean.”