Nice: At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, is participating in the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France. In Oman’s speech, Dr. Al Amri emphasized the Sultanate’s initiatives in marine environment preservation, ocean protection, and marine biodiversity conservation, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to Oman News Agency, Dr. Al Amri noted Oman’s historic commitment to environmental protection, referencing the country’s enactment of the first legislation to protect marine environments from pollution 53 years ago. Oman has been proactive in establishing marine protected areas covering over 90,000 square kilometers to safeguard endangered species, such as humpback whales, sea turtles, and coral reefs. The nation has also prohibited the use of all types of plastic shopping bags and set a target year of 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions.
Oman has launched the ‘Oman Blue Carbon Project’ to plant 100 million mangrove trees for carbon sequestration and coastal ecosystem protection. These initiatives have positioned Oman favorably in global environmental assessments, especially concerning marine protection and biodiversity. Furthermore, Oman was elected President of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) for its seventh session.
Dr. Al Amri reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to “SDG 14,” focusing on conserving oceans and marine resources, and expressed support for the ‘Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.’ He also highlighted the crucial role of oceans as a major carbon sink, emphasizing Oman’s dedication to international efforts in sustaining ocean health and marine biodiversity.
The conference’s agenda included an opening session where Oman presented its national statement, reiterating its position on global marine issues and support for SDG 14 and the Nice Action Plan. The five-day conference features 10 high-level sessions addressing topics such as marine and coastal ecosystems, marine science, ocean financing, and climate action, along with exhibitions and various cultural, educational, economic, and scientific activities.
The third UN Ocean Conference, continuing until 13 June, aims to accelerate global efforts in ocean protection and the achievement of SDG 14 (Life Below Water).