At the opening of the Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, called for greater international investment in ocean research for better knowledge and greater protection of the great blue in the context of climate change. . "Much still needs to be done because we have crucial objectives on the horizon. Our seas are drowning in heat. Every year we reach negative temperature records," lamented Azoulay.
The Director General of UNESCO recalled that only 15% of the ocean floor has been mapped in depth and that missions to the ocean floor pale in number compared to missions to space. "Much still has to be done and can be done to study and protect the oceans. And for that we must invest in science and continue with international cooperation. It is difficult in the moments of crisis and fragmentation of the international community that we live in, but yes something can unite us, that is the oceans," he made clear.
Starting this Wednesday, Barcelona will host the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, organized by UNESCO and which brings together some 1,500 people in the city to outline the lines of action that science can offer in safeguarding the world's seas.
Azoulay was in charge of breaking the ice on a first day in which leaders such as the president of Cape Verde, Jose Maria Neves, participated; that of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan; Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown; and Prince Albert II of Monaco. Likewise, the Minister of Science, Diana Morant, intervened in welcoming the participants; the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Pere Aragonès; and the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni.
Collboni has precisely stressed that the Mediterranean city wants to exercise international leadership in the development of the blue economy and, in this sense, has applied to host a center dedicated to this field linked to UNESCO. In this sense, the mayor added: "Barcelona wants to exercise global leadership in the blue economy", which is one that is developed from sea resources in a sustainable way and preserving biodiversity. Minister Diana Morant has supported the candidacy at a "crucial" moment for the future of the oceans.
Water pollution and the impact on human health, the problem of plastics, the impact of marine traffic on animals, the preservation of marine species, fishing exploitation or the role of the ocean in regulating the climate and in CO2 absorption are some of the global challenges that will be discussed for three days in the Catalan capital.
Collboni has pointed out that the Ocean Decade Conference must mean a "change of course" to focus on having "more and better science" at the service of the oceans: "In the face of climate change denialism, we must put scientific rigor and its transformative power," he added.
For his part, Aragonès has said he trusts that this conference "will help shake consciences" and has shown himself "proud" that Catalonia "in some way, is part of the solution, from modesty but also with all the determination."
At the Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB), political leaders, legislators, maritime sectors, universities, NGOs, the private sector and civil society meet for the first time to promote new collaborations between the fields of science, politics and society.
The Ocean Decade works to achieve Sustainable Development Goal number 14 of the 2030 Agenda, which contemplates the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources, as well as the establishment of priorities for their future. To achieve this, goals have been set: defeat marine pollution; protect and restore ecosystems; sustainably feed the world's population; develop a sustainable ocean economy; unlock solutions to climate change and increase resilience to ocean hazards.
In the three days of sessions in Barcelona, 40 international speakers and 100 speakers will participate in four large thematic sessions: marine pollution, ecosystems and the link between the ocean and the climate; sustainable ocean economy and food; ocean observation, prediction and early warning systems and, finally, knowledge of the oceans and indigenous communities.
A declaration is expected to emerge from the three days of the conference that, although it will not be binding on the countries - as are not other forums related to the United Nations -, it will set guidelines for action regarding collaboration between rulers, science, NGOs and the private sector in pollution, ocean study, blue economy, climate crisis and biodiversity.
The Barcelona conclusions will support the work base for upcoming international forums, including the United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in Nice (France) in 2025.
