Today, in Lisbon, the flag United Nations Ocean Conference. From that moment until July 1, Heads of State and Government from around the world will seek to launch an ambitious and urgent agenda to jointly protect and manage the oceans.
More than 140 countries around the world, represented by their leaders, companies, universities, knowledge centers, civil society and youth organizations, as well as international organizations, will be in Lisbon to discuss and determine the best way to defend the oceans, which is essential. for our lives and for the development of our country.
Portugal has always been a strong supporter of a global system for the defense and protection of the oceans and has a responsibility at the international level to contribute to the establishment of a strong multilateral system for ocean governance. A system based on the premise that the ocean is a common heritage that everyone should benefit from and everyone should protect and is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
That is why, together with the United Nations and Kenya, we have started a fundamental movement aimed at thinking about and protecting the oceans in an innovative, science-based way that ensures that 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by seas and oceans. , is essential to our survival.
Portuguese diplomacy was deeply committed to preparing for this unique moment on the international agenda. Not only to ensure the success of the discussions and commitments that will be reached during the conference, but also to ensure the broadest social, economic, scientific and institutional participation in all squares and geographies.
Not everyone will be able to travel to our country. However, this issue is for everyone, from small island developing states to countries without direct access to the sea. There are many voices to be heard around the world and it is important to gather their messages, ideas and visions about the common future we want to design.
With the aim of allowing a broad debate on a global scale, the Portuguese Diplomatic Network has organized since March a session blue talks to prepare Ocean Conferencebuilding local partnerships and benefiting from the widespread interest that this topic arouses.
Through this series of dialogues, we wanted to enhance and broaden discussions, exchange experiences, ideas and reflection on oceans. And we wanted to do this in a decentralized, open, and inclusive way, inviting partners from civil society, academia, science, the private sector, and youth to join this global conversation about the global common good: the ocean, from different locations, with different challenges in mind.
During these three months, more than 70 debates took place in more than 50 countries across five continents, and mobilized around 10,000 people. From Argentina to Australia, from Angola to the United Kingdom, and from Japan to the USA, we have put Portugal’s maritime sensibility at the service of this important global thinking on important topics such as combating marine pollution, protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, and sustainable fishing. artisanal fisheries, scientific knowledge, research capacity, marine technology transfer and international law enforcement.
The interest and commitment of the various partners, relevant actors and the public was extraordinary, which makes us expect the distinctness of the discussions during the conference that has now begun and the urgency of the commitments to be made.
The well-being of present and future generations is closely linked to the health and productivity of the oceans. Preserving and economically enhancing the oceans as a critical component of mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring the sustainability of human life on our planet requires increasingly bold and advanced technological solutions.
The vastness of marine resources, combined with the new blue economy, will be able to respond to economic needs and social concerns such as gender equality, food and water security, poverty reduction, prosperity and job creation. It can determine our path towards the more just, sustainable and inclusive development we advocate.
We say that in Portugal There are more tides than sailors. We take from the sea the idea of renewal and immortality. Huge opportunity, and ultimately hope. The broad, open, inclusive and focused debate about our bluer future does not end here. Get started now in Lisbon.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
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