Introduction
The Our Ocean Conference, recently held in Kenya, marked an important step towards protecting the oceans and promoting sustainable development. With over 6,000 delegates in attendance, the conference brought together representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations, institutions, and the private sector.
The meeting, held in Mombasa, a port city on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, was themed "Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future". The conference focused on expanding protections, strengthening maritime security, developing sustainable blue economies and fisheries, and addressing problems such as marine pollution and climate change.
Commitments and Pledges
A preliminary roundup showed that more than 104 actors came forward to announce commitments that would mobilize $6.4 billion. These commitments include the protection of marine areas, the reduction of plastic pollution, and the promotion of sustainable fishing.
"When we launched this conference in 2014, we wanted more than speeches, we wanted people to come to the table with an announcement of specifically what they will do and when and how much it will cost", said John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State and founder of the conference, during the opening ceremony on June 17.
Challenges and Opportunities
The conference also highlighted the challenges and opportunities for implementing these commitments. The need for immediate and coordinated action to protect the oceans and promote sustainable development was emphasized by several delegates.
"We did not come to Mombasa to add our names to a longer list of promises. We came to turn the tide", said Kenya’s President William Ruto, during the closing ceremony on June 18. "Let the measure of this conference not be what we pledged on the shore, but what we deliver in the waters".
Conclusion
The Our Ocean Conference in Kenya marked an important step towards protecting the oceans and promoting sustainable development. With $6.4 billion in pledges and a review of past promises, the conference showed that the international community is committed to taking action to protect the oceans and promote sustainable development.
Source / Reference: Mongabay