The UN Secretary General in his annual address on World Oceans Day has remarked “This year, governments are seeking to adopt landmark agreements on climate change and ending poverty. Success will demand that they look at the essential role of the world’s oceans. The oceans are vast, but their capacity to withstand human damage is limited. In this potentially pivotal year, we must commit to using the gifts of the oceans peacefully, equitably and sustainably for generations to come.”
(For the full text, please visit http://goo.gl/0RZf6a)
In Europe, the “Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO” (IOC UNESCO) is organizing with the “Ocean and Climate platform” a full day special event at Paris on the ocean and its interaction with climate change. This full day event contains multiple workshops and seminars regarding the conservation and better utilization of the oceans.
Key recommendations from World Oceans Day will be transmitted to the negotiating parties, experts and observers attending the Bonn Climate Change Conference in June, in preparation of COP21.
(The live streaming for this event can be found at: http://goo.gl/WZc9gN)
Meanwhile in New York, the winners of the annual World Oceans Day oceanic photo competition will be announced at the UN headquarters. A reception will be held at the UN-HQ between 6 and 8pm, where the winners of the photo contest will be formally announced.
The celebration of World Oceans Day coincides with the first day of the twenty-fifth meeting of the Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This year will also mark the twentieth anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the Fish Stocks Agreement.
At sunset the Empire State Building will be beautifully lit in the World Oceans Day colours of white, blue and purple, representing the different layers of the ocean.
(Picture by Jonas Thormar from Denmark which won the overall 2014 World Oceans Day Theme Photo Competition)
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