The One Ocean Summit recently held in France, brought together global leaders to discuss the significance of the oceans and initiatives to protect them. The summit was organized by France in cooperation with the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank. The Indian Prime Minister was among various other Heads of State and Governments from countries like Germany, UK, South Korea, Japan, and Canada who addressed the summit.
The Importance of Oceans
Oceans which cover more than 70% of our planet’s surface have significant roles in maintaining Earth’s environmental balance. They are instrumental for trade, connect nations, and provide vital resources. However, they face severe threats from climate change, pollution, and over-exploitation of marine resources. To mitigate these threats, France decided to host the One Ocean Summit aiming to mobilize the international community to take substantial action.
The One Ocean Summit Explained
The primary objective of the One Ocean Summit is to elevate the international community’s collective ambition concerning marine issues. The commitments will include combating illegal fishing, reducing plastic pollution, decarbonizing shipping, improving the governance of the high seas, and coordinating international scientific research.
India’s Stand at the Summit
India, a maritime civilization with ancient scriptures extolling the benefits of oceans, has its prosperity and security linked with them. The “Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative”, supported by India, emphasizes marine resources. India also backs the French initiative of a ”High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction”. India has pledged to eliminate single-use plastic and initiated a nationwide campaign to clean coastal areas from plastic and other wastes. The Ministry Of Environment Forest And Climate Change has even notified rules prohibiting specific single-use plastic items by 2022.
Global initiatives to Protect Oceans
Several global initiatives seek to protect our oceans: The UN’s Ocean Conference, aimed at conserving and promoting sustainable use of the oceans. The Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), a UN initiative to reverse the ocean health decline. World Oceans Day, celebrated on June 8th every year, inspires action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources.
India-Norway Ocean Dialogue and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
In 2019, the Indian and Norwegian governments decided to cooperate closely on ocean-related issues by signing a MoU and establishing the India-Norway Ocean Dialogue. The IPOI is an open, non-treaty initiative encouraging countries to address common challenges in the region collaboratively.
GloLitter Partnerships Project
Launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UNs (FAO), the GloLitter Partnerships Project intends to prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from shipping and fisheries. The Government of Norway initially funded this project.
