United Arab Emirates Minister of Climate Change and Environment Maryam bint Mohamed Almaheri attended the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) co-organized by the governments of Portugal and Kenya in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, WAM (Emirates News Agency) reported.
UNOC UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life under Life, running from 27 June to 1 July. The conference is underway under the theme ‘Enhancing ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions’.
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Mariam Almaheri said, “It was a pleasure to participate in the UNOC which comes at a critical time for ocean conservation. At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates next year, we aim to develop ocean-based climate solutions. Negotiations on expediting deployment are to continue. We are keen to exchange knowledge and experience with other countries and explore opportunities for effective partnership in this area. Because if we are to keep global warming within 1.5°C. We need to make the most of every solution available to us, and we need to do it together.
During an interactive dialogue titled ‘Addressing Marine Pollution’, the Minister explored ways to tackle marine pollution from land and sea-based sources, which have serious negative impacts on the world’s oceans.
Almaheri also participated in the High Level Meeting on Oceans and Climate under the theme ‘From Lisbon to Sharm el-Sheikh: Accelerating Ocean-Based Climate Solutions’.
The outcome of the event will inform policy and investment decisions to be made for COP27 and beyond.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Minister Almaheri highlighted the importance of leveraging nature-based solutions, especially blue carbon ecosystems, to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
The UAE works to protect its marine and coastal environment and preserve its vital ecosystem services in line with its commitment to implement SDG 14. These include expanding the network of marine protected areas, enforcing fishing regulations, developing the aquaculture industry, and combating marine pollution. Rehabilitating degraded marine ecosystems.
The UAE has achieved two goals of SDG 14, which were set in 2020. After designating 16 marine protected areas, which account for 12.01 percent of its marine and coastal area, the country has reached the target of 14.5, which includes protecting at least 10 percent of its coastal area. marine area. In addition, the nation maintains global leadership in the Marine Protected Areas category of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI).
Through the integrated management of its marine protected areas, the effectiveness of which is being regularly assessed, the UAE has also achieved Goal 14.2, which requires countries to implement measures for the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems. There is a need to do and take action for their restoration.
The world’s oceans face a range of threats – such as acidification, marine litter and pollution, illegal, unrestricted, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and loss of habitats and biodiversity – that require targeted efforts to address. is required. UNOC sessions headlined each of these threats to promote a productive exchange of ideas aimed at preserving healthy oceans for future generations.
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