June 8th marks World Oceans Day. First recognized by the United Nations in 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon explained on the day’s first observance, its purpose is to “[allow] us to highlight the many ways in which oceans contribute to society.” He went on, “It is also an opportunity to recognize the considerable challenges we face in maintaining [the oceans’] capacity to regulate the global climate, supply essential ecosystem services and provide sustainable livelihoods and safe recreation.”
Eight years later, the United Nations is playing host to the first ever, four-day Ocean Conference in an effort to bring together world leaders and stakeholders to address some of the most pressing issues facing our oceans.
“Whether you look at the declining fish stock that is reaching a tipping point or the ocean acidification level or the level of plastics in our oceans, I think any sensible person can conclude that time is running out and we need to take action fast,” said UN General Assembly President, Peter Thomson, in a press release.
In February, the UN launched a process through which individuals, governments, financial institutions, and organizations can voluntarily submit their commitments and initiatives to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” That goal, by the way, comes from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – a set of 17 targets agreed upon unanimously by the UN General Assembly to transform the world by 2030. As of now, over 600 commitments have been recorded.
While the conference is equally a celebration of the oceans and an effort to spur dialogue and international cooperation for the sake of the oceans, a global call for action was negotiated before the opening of the conference, and will be voted on by the session’s closing on Friday. According to a press release, the call for action will, “act as a concise, focused and concrete declaration to set the course towards a more sustainable future for our oceans.”
Pacific island nations – largely on the front lines of rising sea levels and particularly sensitive to the health of our oceans – were particularly vocal on day one of the conference, which opened with a traditional Fijian ceremony.
“Every day, billions of people depend on healthy oceans for their food security, economic stability, and the chance to live in a diverse and sustainable environment,” said the UN in a press release. “The oceans matter to all of us, no matter who we are or where we live, and we matter to the oceans.”
