NAIROBI, May 15 (IPS) – The ocean is both fascinating and mysterious. The top 100 meters of the high seas are home to the largest animals on Earth and billions of the smallest animals, and are home to most marine life, such as fish, turtles and marine mammals. But there is another world deep beneath the surface. Deep in the ocean, there are seamounts—underwater mountains 1,000 meters or more above the seafloor.
It is against this backdrop that the second day of the 26th session of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) deepened negotiations on key scientific, technical skills and technologies. Integrating ocean action into the global agenda is a priority to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity. Highlights the urgent need for further work in ecologically or biologically significant marine areas.
“Humanity’s survival is closely linked to the sustainable use of the oceans and marine biodiversity resources. We rely on the oceans for food, relaxation and inspiration. But now the oceans are under threat, and this threat is spreading to our lives on land. We must Invest time, money and every possible resource to save our oceans, and by doing so, save ourselves. Our biggest income comes from fishing, and now we have to worry about rising sea levels because we are a low-lying island,” Tuva said. Eleala Avanitele of the Lu Forest People’s Project told IPS.
Tuvalu, the world’s fourth-smallest country, is vulnerable to rising sea levels because it is made up of nine low-lying coral atolls and islands, scientists have warned. Globally, the world is in crisis because the oceans provide 50% of the planet’s oxygen and 50% to 80% of all life on Earth. Now this life is in danger.
To date, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also known as the Biodiversity Plan, has been front and center in the ongoing negotiations as it is a strategic plan for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), The Convention is a global agreement covering all aspects of biodiversity and is seen as a framework for governments and society as a whole.
Harrison Ajebe Nnoko Ngaaje of Ajemalebu Self Help (Ajesh) in Cameroon told IPS that his organization, a civil society organization registered in Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania and the United States, aims to create synergies and collaboration within and outside the continent to achieve Restoration, protection and sustainable development of biodiversity key area management.
“As Cameroon has vast and unique ecosystems and biodiversity, the protection and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity is very important for Cameroon. For example, Limbe Beach has shiny black sand, formed by the eruption of Mount Cameroon Made of lava sand, Mount Cameroon is an active volcano in the southwestern region of Cameroon. Our mangroves are under serious threat of degradation. Ajesh is very concerned about marine reserve management and the protection of marine aquatic ecosystems.
By 2100, more than half of all marine species may be at risk of extinction. Marine, coastal and island biodiversity is discussed within the context of the Biodiversity Plan. Goal 3 of the plan aims to ensure that at least 30% of land and inland waters and marine and coastal areas are effectively protected and managed by 2030, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services.
The main objective of the SBSTTA discussions is to identify and identify areas under the Convention that require more attention to help implement the Biodiversity Plan for marine, coastal and island biodiversity.
Although the Conference of the Parties adopted a program of work on marine and coastal biodiversity at its fourth meeting in 1998 and a program of work on island biodiversity in 2006, the world is far behind in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity. Far behind schedule. Nonetheless, the Convention on Biological Diversity continues to prioritize and promote cooperation and collaboration on marine and coastal biodiversity with relevant global and regional organizations and initiatives.
“It is important that civil society, youth and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) become part of the SBSTTA process, observe and have the opportunity to express their opinions. All parties make decisions, but these actors also implement and are in a position to face the biological at the forefront of the consequences of diversity loss,” Ngaaje said.
Onyango Adhiambo, a youth representative in academia and research at the International University Network for Culture and Biodiversity, expressed support for Ngagi’s remarks.
“Young people need to understand the role that science, technical skills and technology play in saving our planet because soon we will need to step in and step up. The future that is at risk now belongs to us and when we are called upon to act on all sides When intervening on agreed matters, we must do so efficiently, effectively and sustainably, saving natural resources for future generations,” Adityabo said.
Highlights of the meeting included recognition of the importance of science for decision-making and that many areas of the program of work on marine and coastal biodiversity and island biodiversity have not yet been fully implemented and that enhanced capacity building and development is necessary, particularly in least developed countries. and the development of small island developing States.
The 2022 Biodiversity Plan says we can do this by creating “ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably managed protected area systems and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories where applicable” , and integrate them to get back on track.
Equally important is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’s Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, adopted on June 19, 2023.
Strongly encourage cross-border marine conservation cooperation on issues such as marine genetic resources, including fair and equitable sharing of benefits; regional management tools and other measures, including marine protected areas; environmental impact assessment; capacity building and marine technology transfer.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
