Oceans an Important Part of the UN's Diverse Agenda for 2017
One of the biggest meetings on the UN's agenda this year is focused on the oceans or more specifically Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
"The United Nations has the opportunity to drive profound change for the oceans in 2017," says Elizabeth Wilson, director, international ocean policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts.
"This event will provide UN member states an opportunity to assess progress on ocean conservation, make new commitments, and create meaningful partnerships," she said.
The meeting – which will take place in New York from 5 to 9 June – is considered to be of global importance for many reasons. For example, according to a 2016 World Economic Forum report, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans by the year 2050. Declining fish stocks will effect the more than two billion people worldwide who rely on fish as a source of protein.
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization also estimates that 200 million people worldwide rely on fishing or related activities for their livelihoods, the vast majority of whom live in developing countries.
Another important related issue on the UN's agenda in 2017 will be working towards a treaty to protect the high seas, the areas of the global oceans, which fall beyond any country's sea borders, said Wilson.
One of the biggest meetings on the UN's agenda this year is focused on the oceans or more specifically Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
"The United Nations has the opportunity to drive profound change for the oceans in 2017," says Elizabeth Wilson, director, international ocean policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts.
"This event will provide UN member states an opportunity to assess progress on ocean conservation, make new commitments, and create meaningful partnerships," she said.
The meeting – which will take place in New York from 5 to 9 June – is considered to be of global importance for many reasons. For example, according to a 2016 World Economic Forum report, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans by the year 2050. Declining fish stocks will effect the more than two billion people worldwide who rely on fish as a source of protein.
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization also estimates that 200 million people worldwide rely on fishing or related activities for their livelihoods, the vast majority of whom live in developing countries.
Another important related issue on the UN's agenda in 2017 will be working towards a treaty to protect the high seas, the areas of the global oceans, which fall beyond any country's sea borders, said Wilson.
