In a decisive step towards environmental diplomacy, over two dozen nations, including Germany, Spain, Sweden, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Israel, South Korea, Costa Rica, and France, have signed a visionary “declaration of peace with the ocean.” This event took place in Costa Rica, setting the stage for a more ambitious United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled for next June in Nice, France.
A Pledge to Protect Our Oceans
The declaration, endorsed amid a preparatory gathering in San Jose, Costa Rica, underscores a collective commitment to fostering nature-positive economies that are both sustainable and grounded in the most robust scientific and traditional knowledge. This commitment is timely, as the ocean faces unprecedented pressures from overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
Pre-Conference Dynamics
The two-day event in San Jose was not just a ceremonial gesture but a critical juncturnal platform for international leaders, scientists, and experts to forge a path for next year’s conference. Discussions focused on actionable strategies that could finally align human activities with the ocean’s capacity to sustain them.
Costa Rica’s Leadership
Arnoldo Andre Tinoco, Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, captured the urgency and necessity of the declaration by emphasizing that the ocean could no longer withstand human neglect and exploitation. “It is time for us to declare peace,” he stated, reflecting a profound commitment to reversing the trends of degradation and taking a stand for the ocean’s health.
Looking Ahead
As the world looks towards the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the declaration signed in Costa Rica serves as a blueprint for the international community’s renewed efforts to prioritize and implement sustainable ocean practices. It’s a hopeful reminder that collective action can lead to substantial environmental victories.
