Minister of Environment Joins 9th Our Ocean Conference in Greece

Minister of Environment Joins 9th Our Ocean Conference in Greece

Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, took part in the opening ceremony of the 9th Our Ocean Conference held on April 16 and 17 in Athens, Greece.

Qatar's involvement in the conference underscores its dedication to playing an active role in global environmental conservation efforts. This commitment aligns with Qatar's ongoing endeavors on the world stage to safeguard Earth's natural resources, particularly its oceans, which play a vital role in sustaining human civilization by generating approximately half of the planet's oxygen and regulating weather patterns and climate.

The conference draws wide-ranging international participation, including governmental bodies, international organizations, representatives from the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. Its primary objective is to secure commitments from attendees to safeguard the oceans and ensure responsible management of marine resources for sustainable economic development.

This year's edition of the Our Ocean conference focuses on six key areas: establishing and effectively managing marine protected areas, promoting the sustainable blue economy to responsibly utilize marine resources, addressing climate change and recognizing the oceans' role in regulating climate, enhancing maritime security to combat piracy and illegal trafficking, promoting sustainable fisheries through effective practices and conservation efforts, and combating marine pollution by reducing chemical and waste discharge from both land and marine activities.

The conference originated from an initiative spearheaded by John Kerry, the former US Secretary of State, in 2014. Since then, it has evolved into a significant international gathering with extensive participation from governments and international organizations. Notably, the conference has successfully mobilized over $130 billion to support ocean conservation initiatives.

 

Source: The Peninsula