MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

World Ocean Day 2010: opportunities and challenges

Ban-Ki-moon: “if we are to fully benefit from what oceans have to offer, we must address the damaging impacts of human activities”

The United Nations Organization (UN) celebrates on Tuesday 8 June World Ocean Day under the theme: 'Our oceans: opportunities and challenges'. The UN General Assembly instituted this celebration from 2009, by its resolution 63/111, issued 5 December, 2008.

The resolution calls upon user States and States bordering straits used for international navigation to continue their cooperation through agreements on issues related to safety of navigation, including aids to navigation safety and the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from ships.

It called on countries to consider becoming members of the International Hydrographical Organization, and urges all States to cooperate with that organisation to increase the coverage of hydrographical information worldwide.
The purpose of these orders is to strengthen technical assistance and promote safety of navigation, especially in areas used for international navigation, ports and vulnerable or protected marine areas.

“Oceans play a key role in our daily lives. They are integral to sustainable development and an important frontier for research. As scientists explore the oceans at greater depths than ever before, they continue to discover new forms of marine life. This research has great potential to advance human well-being”, said UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon.

“But, if we are to fully benefit from what oceans have to offer, we must address the damaging impacts of human activities. The diversity of life in the oceans is under ever-increasing strain. Over-exploitation of marine living resources, climate change, and pollution from hazardous materials and activities all pose a grave threat to the marine environment. So does the growth of criminal activities, including piracy, which have serious implications for the security of navigation and the safety of seafarers”.

“Much action is already being taken within the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea – our “constitution for the oceans”. More than 15 years after the Convention’s entry into force, it continues to act as our guide. But if we are to safeguard the capacity of the oceans to service society’s many and varied needs, we need to do much more. On this second annual commemoration of World Oceans Day, I urge Governments and citizens everywhere to acknowledge the enormous value of the world’s oceans -- and do their part in ensuring their health and vitality”.

As part of the program to mark World Oceans Day, the UN secretary-general will give a message to attendees and there will be a roundtable discussion on the enforcement of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) some 15 years ago and its operational effectiveness.

More info: http://www.worldoceannetwork.org/EN/accueil.htm