UN Ocean Conference: Morocco renews commitment to ocean protection

Morocco supports the global efforts seeking to protect the oceans, preserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change, said Moroccan minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development & Water Mohamed Sadiki.

Addressing the 2022 UN Conference on Ocean convened in Lisbon from June 27 to July 1, Sadiki said Morocco’s commitment to Ocean protection is confirmed by the Kingdom’s ratification of legal instruments relevant to the marine environment and its constant efforts to strengthen joint international actions to protect the ocean which covers 70 pc of the Earth’s surface and is home to up to 80 pc of all life in the world.

“Building on its successful Halieutis strategy and advanced oceanographic research allowing better ocean and fisheries monitoring, Morocco looks forward to developing an inclusive blue economy based on an ecosystem associating all maritime sectoral strategies in line with the country’s advanced regionalization policy.

Morocco’s coastal areas account for more than half of the Kingdom’s GDP and employment, while greater potential remains untapped in established and emerging blue industries, such as aquaculture, seaweed farming and marine renewable energy.

The UN Ocean Conference comes at a critical time as the world is seeking to address the socioeconomic problems prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic and which will require major structural transformations and innovative solutions.

The conference agenda includes presentations by experts and debates on how to address the threats to health, ecology, economy and governance of the ocean acidification, marine pollution, illegal fishing, and the loss of biodiversity.