INTERVIEW: ‘Ship the care our ocean wants – collectively’, urge co-hosts of UN convention

INTERVIEW: ‘Ship the care our ocean wants – collectively’, urge co-hosts of UN convention
On the finish of the month, world leaders, youth, entrepreneurs, and civil society will collect in Lisbon, Portugal, for the second UN Ocean Conference, to mobilize motion and jumpstart science-based revolutionary options geared toward beginning a brand new chapter of world ocean motion.

Co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya, the occasion will probably be a platform to successfully tackle the challenges that the ocean is now going through.

Ambassador Ana Paula Zacarias, Everlasting Consultant of Portugal to the United Nations, and Ambassador Martin Kimani, Kenya’s Everlasting Consultant to the UN, share a ardour for the ocean and the mission make sure the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine sources for sustainable growth for all.

Earlier than heading to Portugal, they sat down with UN Information in New York, to talk at size in regards to the Convention and what the occasion – and its consequence – means for his or her international locations and the world.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.

UN Information: What does the UN Ocean Convention symbolize for each Kenya and Portugal – and what are the primary expectations for it?

Ana Paula Zacarias: It is a basic convention for Portugal. The ocean is overly related with our historical past, with our tradition, with our bodily panorama, with our financial system. There’s additionally a reference to our dedication to strengthening multilateralism and to advance on the Ocean agenda, in addition to on the questions regarding local weather change.

We hope to have round 12,000 members from all around the world. And we’ve got already obtained the affirmation of 15 Heads of State and Authorities, in addition to many non-governmental organizations, civil society members, folks from academia, from youth organizations, and from native communities. Even some celebrities – [US Special Envoy for Climate] John Kerry, and the well-known Aquaman, [actor and environmentalist] Jason Momoa, will probably be in Lisbon, which is especially vital to present power to the youth’s voice.

Martin Kimani: The Convention certainly represents an vital alternative and accountability. A possibility for sustainable financial growth, improved meals safety, and jobs for younger folks all around the world. And accountability as a result of we should be sure that oceans are shielded from air pollution and the effects of climate change. As co-hosts, Kenya and Portugal are eager for a daring and optimistic world ocean agenda to emerge from the convention.

There’s an rising recognition that we should reverse the decline in ocean well being and obtain Sustainable Development Goal 14. To construct on this, Kenya, and Portugal, along with the United Nations, are setting a stage for selections that can scale up ocean motion based mostly on science and innovation.