Morocco backs international efforts seeking protection of oceans

Head of Moroccan government, Aziz Akhannouch, is taking part in the first high-level summit dedicated to the ocean, which opened Friday in Brest, northwest of France, to strengthen international cooperation in combating illegal fishing, decarburizing shipping, and reducing plastic pollution in high seas.

Akhannouch was greeted by President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival at the site of the “One Ocean Summit” which is gathering Heads of state and government from all five continents as well as leaders of several international organizations, CEOs of major shipping companies, leading scientists, NGOs and policymakers.

Convened by the French president within the frame of France’s six-month EU presidency, the event aims to mobilize “unprecedented international political engagement” for a wide range of pressing maritime issues, said the event chief organizer, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor.

It also seeks to enhance the governance of the high seas and support international maritime scientific research as the ocean covers more than 70 pc of the Earth’s surface, plays a key role in climate resilience, food chain trade, and links between nations.

The first two days of the event, which opened Wednesday, were devoted to public workshops and forums on topics including marine science, the Mediterranean, sustainable shipping, green ports, and cities at risk from rising sea levels, involving about 300 researchers, entrepreneurs and representatives of international organizations including the UN.

The high-level summit meeting, which started Friday, is expected to be crowned with international commitments to protect biodiversity & marine ecosystems, combat maritime pollution & overfishing.