“Seychelles is a determined island nation with a mission, hence why we feel the Mission Ocean is an important endeavour

Press Release: “Seychelles is a determined island nation with a mission, hence why we feel the Mission Ocean is an important endeavour.”

Friday  27th June 2014

“Seychelles is a determined island nation with a mission, hence why we feel the Mission Ocean is an important endeavour. The Global Ocean Commission Report provides a clear and effective way forward - we need the commitment of world leaders and UN Agencies to MAKE it happen. We need a Sustainable Development Goal on oceans to SEE it happen,” says the Minister of Environment and Energy, Prof. Rolph Payet  at the Global Oceans Commissions press conference.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Former President of Costa Rica, Mr. José María Figueres and UN Under-Secretary-General, UNEP Executive Director, Mr. Achim Steiner and Minister Payet were panelists at the event.  The press conference was organized by the Global Oceans Commission as the Global Ocean Commissions report was being launched. Mr. Figueres, Co Chair of the commission says the launching coincided with the first session of UNEA adding that the month of June is dedicated to oceans.
Minister Payet says that the UNEA presents an important platform to launch this report adding that he hopes  that  it will taken home by delegations who will share the importance of protecting and managing the oceans in a sustainable manner. “ I also recognise the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco who is a long-time champion of the Oceans, for his inspiration and leadership and the UNEP Executive Director, Mr. Steiner who has the vision and drive to address persistent global challenges, this is evident through the excellent organisation of the UNEA and his efforts to mainstream the green economy in the blue world - which is as a small island nation, our world”.
Talking to Journalists at the conference Minister Payet stressed on Seychelles commitment to the cause of oceans, “we need leadership for the oceans, and I wish to convey the full and unwavering support of President James Michel of the Seychelles, who has personally championed the concept of the blue economy, whereby small island states are called to empower themselves to manage their rich ocean heritage for the planet and for their future. The successful outcome of the first summit on the blue economy held as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, is a testimony of the partnership between Seychelles and the United Emirates to advance the ocean agenda within the global post-2015 development agenda and the SDGs.”
Professor Payet added that the Seychelles  has on several occasions called for an SDG on the oceans and  will continue to call  upon all leaders present at the UNEA to support SDG on the Oceans.  “ My country and SIDS from all the regions have negotiated very hard to keep ocean issues on the Third International SIDS meeting agenda, and I am happy that we have made significant progress in convincing the international community on the inescapable interdependency of small island states on the oceans. Finally, allow me to comment the efforts of the World Ocean Commission, and we are proud to be one of the first countries to join and support the Ocean Mission and the outcomes of this important report we are launching today”, concluded the Minister for Environment and Energy.
Additional information:
The objective of the Global Oceans Commission is to formulate politically and technically feasible short, medium and long-term recommendations to address four key issues facing the high seas:
o overfishing
o large-scale loss of habitat and biodiversity
o the lack of effective management and enforcement
o deficiencies in high seas governance.
The Commission’s work will focus on four key tasks:
1. Examine key threats, challenges, and changes to the ocean in the 21st century, and identify priority issues.
2. Review the effectiveness of the existing legal framework for the high seas in meeting the unique challenges and threats of the 21st century and beyond.
3. Engage with interested parties around the world, including groups of people with direct interests in ocean issues as well as the general public.
4. Make recommendations regarding cost-effective, pragmatic and politically feasible reforms of high seas governance, management and enforcement.
For more information visit: www.globaloceanscommission.org