Speaking on his Tuesday´s high-level debate on Sustainable Development Goal number 14 (SDG14) of the 2030 Agenda for preservation and sustainable use of the oceans, Bozkir urged to draw up stronger policies in favor of marine ecosystems.

He recognized some countries and cities´ stances prioritizing coastal and marine areas over tourism, as well as their efforts to address illegal fishing, regulation of maritime transport, and resource extraction.

Peter Thomson, UNGA´s Special Envoy for the oceans, underlined the significance of complying with SDG14 and for this reason he called for setting up a ‘sustainable blue economy’.

Similarly, Thomson referred to consequences of marine pollution by plastic waste in a world dependent on such a material, for which he advocated outlaying on infrastructure for recycling systems.

Oceans provide food, livelihoods and protection to more than one billion people worldwide; while the value of economic activities related to the oceans exceeds US$1.5 trillion a year.

pgh/Pll/msm / avr/gdc