The ocean connects all of humanity and the planet, and the globe must act now to protect this “beautiful” and life-sustaining resource, says President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid.

He made this statement at the Seventh Our Oceans Conference held in Palau, last week.

Highlighting that small islanders are an “interesting” group, FM Shahid said that they may be worlds apart and that an entire ocean and thousands of kilometers may divide islanders, however, they remain kin.

Noting that issues addressed at the Our Ocean 2022 Conference are important to the entire globe, PGA Shahid noted that the ocean connects “all of us”, humanity and the planet.

A such, he stressed that the ocean is vital whether it is the rich biodiversity; much of which remains to be found, or the processes that keep the globe alive or whether it is eradicating hunger, supporting livelihoods, providing conduits for movement of goods, people and supplies.

With this being said, PGA Shahid noted that this 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 inter-linkages between the ocean ecosystem and the ocean economy, with other goals.

Therefore, the PGA expressed his appreciation that Our Ocean Conference continues to arrange global momentum in this regard.

As such, Shahid noted that over the past six conferences, over 1,400 commitments at over USD 90 billion have been made which in turn protected at least five million square kilometers of the ocean.

An enthusiastic PGA highlighted that these accomplishments will give the people hope, and at the same time, it must stir mindfulness on how much more remains to be achieved.

Urging to expand protected areas, PGA Shahid stressed that less than eight percent of the ocean is protected and went on to push to invest in solid, reliable and accessible ocean science data and information, which can be used to inform policies and programs.

This, Shahid said, is why the decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development is timely and important.

In his speech, Shahid noted that 2022 has presented multiple opportunities to build momentum for ocean action and also commemorates the 40th anniversary since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea.

The occasion gives the globe the opportunity to review and renew the commitment to the ocean, its governance, its sustainable use and its conservation, said Shahid.

Highlighting that 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 2022, PGA Shahid asserted that the ocean conference in Portugal will be a key moment to supercharge the efforts and to ensure that the commitments made, are being delivered.

PGA Shahid went on to note that the progress of the New Urban Agenda will be reviewed at the end of April, adding that the links between sustainable urbanization and the sustainable management of resources such as the oceans is well-established.

Stressing that what happens on land affects the ocean, the PGA said that with this high-level event on sustainable tourism which will look at a blue/green recovery from the pandemic, and his high-level event entitled “Moment for Nature” which will take stock of the many environmental summits taking place this year, the PGA intends to do his part.

At the conference, PGA Shahid also urged to invest in zero emissions ocean transport and supply chains, to better manage the process of harvesting seafood, ensuring a “do no harm” approach to marine ecosystems and to scale up the use of renewable ocean energies, ocean mapping as well as a complete ban on plastic pollution in our oceans.

Concluding his speech, the Maldivian Foreign Minister noted that being at the conference gave him hope that the world is “finally” beginning to recognize and act upon this “wonderful”, “beautiful”, and “life- sustaining” resource.

Shahid noted that he is encouraged as a policy maker who has helped shape ocean policy and he is grateful, as a small islander whose home “is very much threatened”.

As part of fruitful visit to Palau, the PGA also met Bilung Gloria Salii, the Head of Mechesil Belau; a women’s group in Palau that has been instrumental in increasing the voices of women on key issues, for more than 30 years.

The visit also saw PGA Shahid meeting other important officials including the PSIDS Heads of Delegations along with Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Samoa’s Environment Minister and PSIDS Chair where he briefed them on the progress of finalizing the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and the ongoing UNGA session’s events on tourism, debt and nature.

He further called on the UN Resident Coordinator-RC in Micronesia with oversight over Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Palau, Jaap van Hierden with whom he discussed the important role the multi-country RC office can play in providing tailor-made, demand-driven support to Micronesian countries.

PGA Shahid also met with students of the Science Club at Palau High School and highlighted that young people are at the forefront of climate action and should have a say in the decisions that will shape their destinies.

On the sidelines of the conference, PGA Shahid also took part in the SIDS Global Business Network Forum in Palau which witnessed the “lively” exchange of views on the role of the private sector in the achievement of the SDGs in SIDS and attainment of the Samoa Pathway objectives.