World Leaders Advocate for Swift Ratification of UN Ocean Treaty

In a pivotal gathering in Athens, Greece, at the 9th Our Ocean Conference, global leaders, including the European Union and representatives from 13 countries, have urged the prompt ratification of a significant U.N. treaty aimed at safeguarding the world’s oceans. This call to action seeks to combat overfishing and other harmful human activities threatening marine biodiversity.

The High Seas treaty, formally adopted by the United Nations last year, is a cornerstone for achieving the ambitious “30 by 30” initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the Earth’s land and sea by 2030. To date, only four nations—Palau, Chile, Belize, and Seychelles—have ratified the treaty, with another 89 countries signaling their intention through signatures.

During the conference, the European Union pledged a robust €3.5 billion to enhance ocean protection and promote sustainability. This funding is part of a broader commitment featuring over 400 new pledges totaling around $10 billion. These commitments focus on a range of objectives from combating marine pollution to nurturing sustainable fisheries and bolstering the blue economy, which encompasses sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.

Noteworthy among the EU’s initiatives is the allocation of significant funds towards sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in several European nations, including Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. Meanwhile, Greece announced plans to invest €780 million in 21 initiatives, including the creation of two new marine parks aimed at protecting seabirds in the Aegean Sea and sea mammals in the Ionian Sea, covering over 4,000 square kilometers.

The conference underscored the urgent need for more countries to ratify the treaty. Virginijus Sinkevicius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, emphasized the ocean’s integral role in our identity and collective responsibility. The conference highlighted not only the need for mitigation and adaptation but also the critical importance of protecting and restoring marine environments to allow nature the space to recover and thrive. As these leaders convene, the stakes could not be higher for the future health of our planet’s oceans.

There’s Only One Green Planet Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Ocean Temperatures Hit Unprecedented Highs, Scientists Seek Answers
• Man Dives Into the Ocean to Rescue a Shark Tangled in Fishing Line [Video]
• This Kenyan Startup Transforms Ocean Plastic into School Furniture
• Biden-Harris Administration Invests $3.9m in Ocean-Based Climate Resilience
• Understanding the Environmental Impact of Paint Particles in Our Oceans

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!