Riyadh, April 16, 2024, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking a prominent stance in sustainable development at the ninth United Nations Ocean Conference held on April 16th and 17th, 2024. Themed "Our Ocean: Opportunities and Potential," the conference gathers influential figures from governments, corporations, academia, and advocacy groups, all rallying around the shared goal of protecting marine ecosystems.
Leading the Kingdom's delegation is Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife. Dr. Qurban's leadership underscores Saudi Arabia's steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable management of resources.
Commencing with a vibrant youth summit on April 15th, the conference aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, drawing insights from successful models of ocean conservation worldwide.
Across eight pivotal sessions, delegates delve into critical issues such as establishing marine protected areas, promoting sustainable blue economies, addressing maritime security, tackling climate change's impact on oceans, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and combatting marine pollution. The conference's overarching mission is to ensure that oceans meet the needs of future generations, urging governments, organizations, and businesses to make enduring commitments that enhance marine environments' health and vitality.
Dr. Mohammed Qurban emphasizes Saudi Arabia's dedication to advancing sustainable development goals, preserving oceans, and promoting responsible marine resource utilization, in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. He highlights initiatives like the Saudi Green Initiative, targeting a 30% expansion of protected areas across the Kingdom's land and sea territory and planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030.
"The Kingdom remains committed to safeguarding nature and its ecological treasures, with a focus on the Red Sea region," Dr. Qurban affirms, expressing readiness to deploy resources and efforts toward sustainable conservation.
Participation in forums like the "Our Ocean" Conference facilitates knowledge sharing, idea exchange, and the creation of innovative solutions to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices.
Since its inception in 2014, the Ocean Conference has been instrumental in highlighting oceans' significance, covering three-quarters of the Earth's surface. Over eight conferences, 2,160 commitments worth $130 billion have been announced. The ninth edition is expected to generate more commitments and discuss progress on previous commitments, signaling a collective global effort toward ocean conservation and sustainability.
