Partners adopt Abu Dhabi 2016 declaration

President James Alix Michel stressed the importance and significance of a paradigm shift towards a sustainable ocean-based or Blue Economy in his keynote address yesterday at the Second Blue Economy Summit.

The Summit, held under the theme ‘One Ocean, One Future’, and a key component of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), concluded successfully yesterday with the adoption of the Abu Dhabi 2016 Blue Economy Declaration.

The Declaration unanimously adopted by government, international and civil society representatives calls upon the international community to adopt, elaborate and utilise the Blue Economy approach as a key tool in the implementation of inter alia the Paris Climate Change Agreement and realisation of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 to “Conserve and Sustainably Use Oceans, Seas, Marine Resources for Sustainable Development”.

The Second Blue Economy Summit was co-hosted by the governments of Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates in partnership with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of Unesco (United Nations’ Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

President Michel said “in Seychelles our transition to the Blue Economy is about empowering our local fisheries industry through the adoption of sustainable practices to create better value addition. We believe that supporting our local entrepreneurs is at the heart of the Blue Economy agenda; because sustainability is not possible without strong local ownership,” he said.

His speech highlighted the potential a Blue Economy offers to contribute to the international challenges of the alleviation of global poverty, creation of sustainable livelihoods, increased food security, improved human well-being and social equity while also reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

Mr Michel explained that “transitioning to a Blue Economy and away from the ‘business as usual’ model of marine exploitation will require research, international cooperation and strong political will, as long-term gains are often only achievable through shorter term pain”.

He noted that political vision and principle is required, coupled with innovation. “It requires innovation in science and engineering in the marine domain but also innovation in administration, strategic planning and finance.  For example, in Seychelles, assisted by international partners, we are pioneering novel means of leveraging new and additional funds to support the realisation of a sustainable Blue Economy. Our latest initiative is the proposed issue of ten-year sovereign ‘blue’ bonds guaranteed by government and supported by international financial institutions, with the proceeds being specifically designated for the implementation of a new transformative management plan for our national demersal fisheries,” said President Michel.

The opening ceremony included statements by the President of the Republic of Palau Tommy E. Remengesau Jr, the President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change of the UAE, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), Adnan Z. Amin and the executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-Unesco), Dr Vladimir Ryabinin.

“We are very pleased to once again co-host the Second Blue Economy Summit with the Republic of the Seychelles. Since the first Summit in 2014 held here in Abu Dhabi, significant strides have been made by the global community. The adoption of the sustainable development goals reinforced the importance of the oceans and seas, as well as the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources,” said Dr Al Jaber.

“As a coastal country, the protection and sustainable use of marine resources and coastal zones are central to our national policies. And just as oceans and seas transcend borders, so do our efforts. The UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, are supporting small island states by deploying renewable energy and improving their resilience to extreme weather events,” he added.

“The International Oceanographic Commission (IOC), as the only UN body specialising in ocean sciences, observations, services and capacity development, is committed to helping build the Blue Economy through education and capacity development, the Global Ocean Observing System, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Marine Spatial Planning, Ocean Teacher Global Academy, and many other IOC programmes and initiatives,” said Dr V. Ryabinin, executive secretary IOC.

He added that economic return on investments into ocean science of observations will be the vehicle moving the Blue Economy forward. 

The summit, attended by high level country, international agency and civil society representatives, sought to re-galvanise support for the Blue Economy and highlight the importance of oceans for the continued sustainable development of all countries. International expert presentations followed by distinguished panel discussions, with input from the plenary, served to advance the international debate on the Blue Economy in relation to Climate Change and SDG 14 respectively.

The Declaration urges States, international agencies and donors to take concerted action and ease the application of the Blue Economy in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals and implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Forrás: www.nation.sc