The 5-day UN Ocean Conference hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal begins
Leaders from 130 countries across the world to deliberate for five days to find an international agreement on protecting the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources
New Delhi, 28 Jun: Five-day UN Ocean Conference took off in Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday, with the Governments of Kenya and Portugal being the co-hosts. Leaders from over 130 countries across the world will deliberate for five days to find an international agreement on protecting the world’s oceans, seas, and marine resources.
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science &Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, Minister of State PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is leading the Indian delegation, had bilateral talks with several Ministers from different countries attending the meet.
In some of these meetings, the Minister was also joined by other members of the Indian delegation, says, the Ministry of Earth Science statement released on Monday.
Dr Jitendra Singh will present India’s statement before the full House of the UN meet.
Other members of the Indian delegation from Ministries of External Affairs, Earth Sciences and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry etc., will also be present.
The Ocean Conference comes at a crucial juncture as the world is seeking to address many of the challenges requiring structural transformations and Innovative and Green solutions to achieve SDG Goal 14, which calls for conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas, and marine resources.
The UN has underlined on several occasions that the oceans on the planet are facing severe threats due to human activities and will likely worsen as the world population grows and human activities increase.
Speaking to the media, Dr Jitendra Singh outlined that India had already taken a lead in green technology as per the 2030 goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The goal is to reduce India’s emissions intensity by 45 per cent by adding 500 gigawatts of renewable energy to the country’s power kitty, thereby reducing almost one billion tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The Minister also pointed out that India recently undertook a nationwide awareness campaign to clean plastic and other waste from coastal areas, and this mission will soon become a mass movement.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has taken up several initiatives, programmes, and policy interventions to protect the marine and coastal ecosystems, mangroves, and coral reefs.
(India Science Wire)
