The oceans and sustainable economic development: opening remarks

Following the promise to leave no one behind, the countries of the world committed ourselves to protecting the planet and to conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources, as provided in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The ocean is an essential resource, and its care and protection must remain a priority for governments and societies if we are to reach a sustainable future in our region and throughout the world.

Turning specifically to sustainable economic development, which is our concern this morning: according to studies by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ocean is regarded by many as the new economic frontier, thanks to the enormous wealth of resources it offers and its potential to drive economic growth, employment and new industries. Latin America and the Caribbean have a coastline of more than 70,000 km, along which many of their largest human settlements are located. For twenty-two countries of the region, the sea represents 60% or more of their sovereign territory; hence, for the Americas, the protection and health of the oceans, seas and marine resources are indispensable to development.

Reports by the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) indicate that the region has before it the possibility of diversifying and increasing marine and coastal economic activity by promoting investment in products and services whose business models provide for added value and the ethical and sustainable use of the ocean. For this and other reasons, it is crucial to have new approaches for building a sustainable ocean economy in which environmental protection and conservation, economic productivity and prosperity go hand in hand.

The ocean and its economy offer a great many opportunities to help our countries recover and build a more equitable, resilient and sustainable future. That is why this morning, around these ideas, we will hear expert voices so that together we may reflect on the use, protection and conservation of our oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable economic development.

My thanks to the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Chile and the Dominican Republic and to the Permanent Observer Mission of France for their support in organizing this special meeting.