Latest news with #UNOceanConference
Arabian Post
20 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE and Senegal Forge Strategic Water Investment Alliance in Africa
Greenlogue/AP The United Arab Emirates and Senegal have formalised a significant partnership aimed at addressing Africa's escalating water and sanitation challenges. This collaboration, announced during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, underscores a shared commitment to sustainable water management and climate resilience across the continent. At the heart of this initiative is the establishment of an integrated water-ocean management framework, designed to harmonise freshwater and marine ecosystems. This approach is pivotal for nations like Senegal, where the interplay between land and sea directly impacts water availability and quality. The UAE's extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and renewable energy, exemplified by entities such as Masdar, positions it as a key partner in this endeavour. ADVERTISEMENT This partnership aligns with broader continental efforts to mobilise investments in water infrastructure. The African Union–Africa Water Investment Programme Water Summit 2025, held in Cape Town from 13 to 15 August, convened over 2,000 delegates, including heads of state, ministers, and private sector leaders. The summit aimed to bridge Africa's annual water investment gap, estimated at $30 billion, by fostering collaborative investments and policy reforms. South Africa, hosting the summit under its G20 Presidency, highlighted the urgency of addressing water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and outdated infrastructure. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the need for scalable solutions and endorsed a Summit Declaration committing to enhanced governance and accountability in the water sector. The UAE's involvement in Africa's water sector is not new. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has financed hydroelectric and irrigation projects along the Senegal River, reflecting a longstanding commitment to regional development. This history of collaboration provides a solid foundation for the new partnership with Senegal.
Euronews
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Global Plastics Treaty hangs in the balance as talks resume in Geneva
Talks to secure a Global Plastics Treaty are restarting in Geneva on Tuesday (5 August), with negotiators striving to break a deadlock that prevented a deal last year. Over the next fortnight, national delegations need to reach a unilateral consensus on many critical issues in order to create a legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) follows the collapse of talks in Bhusan, South Korea in December last year. As awareness about the plastics crisis - and its devastating environmental and health dimensions - grows, momentum is building for a treaty to match the enormity of the challenge. At the UN Ocean Conference last month, ministers and representatives from more than 95 countries signed a declaration dubbed the 'Nice Wake-Up Call', spelling out what's needed for a meaningful outcome. Crucially, they said, a full lifecycle approach is required, with mandatory limits around plastic production and phasing out toxic chemicals. And earlier this week, a group of more than 60 leading scientists from around the world urged governments to agree on ambitious, enforceable action in Geneva. "This is not just a call for action, this is the scientific community bearing witness," said Professor Steve Fletcher, director of the Revolution Plastics Institute, and editor-in-chief of the Cambridge Prisms: Plastics plastics journal in which the letters were published. "We've watched the evidence pile up for decades. This treaty is a test of whether the world is prepared to govern plastics in a way that reflects the scale and urgency of the crisis." A separate report from Greenpeace, also published this week, makes clear that leaders are up against some antagonistic forces in the form of industry lobbying and countries lacking ambition. What do scientists say is needed to solve the plastics crisis? The scientists argue that the stakes at INC-5.2 are sky high. This is the world's best opportunity to secure a binding agreement that tackles plastic pollution across its entire lifecycle. Some major petrostates instead want to focus on plastic waste, arguing there is no need to limit production if the end product is tackled. But the open letters lay out an evidence-based roadmap for treaty negotiators that covers the whole supply chain, with targets to cap and reduce plastic production. They want to see global health safeguards created to protect human health, since nano- and microplastics have been found to infiltrate all parts of the body, from our brains to breastmilk. "There is clear and growing evidence that plastic poses serious risks to human health. Yet the approach to health protection in the treaty still hangs in the balance,' says Dr Cressida Bowyer, deputy director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth. The treaty must directly address human health impacts in its core obligations, she argues. Some experts also make a strong case for including trade in the agreement. Nearly 99 per cent of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), and plastic takes shape as it is shipped around the world. "To be effective, the global plastics treaty must address the real-world architecture of the plastics economy, where trade is the connective tissue,' says Professor Maria Ivanova, of Northeastern University in the US. 'Trade must be reimagined as a tool for transformation. If trade is the connective tissue of the plastics crisis, it must also be part of the cure." And to design a truly 'environmentally ambitious and structurally sound', in Prof Ivanova's words, corporate lobbying and greenwashing must be kept away from independent scientific oversight. Are plastic companies blocking action? According to CIEL, 220 fossil fuels lobbyists attended the fifth round of treaty negotiations in Busan last December. This made lobbyists the single largest delegation at the talks - more than the EU and its member states combined, and outnumbering the delegates from the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty by three to one. A new report from Greenpeace UK reveals how the Global Plastics Treaty is under threat from the tactics of some of the world's largest petrochemical companies. It says that these companies have been systematically lobbying against cuts to plastic production while generating massive profits from the growing plastics business. The report claims that since the start of the treaty process in November 2022, petrochemical giants Dow, ExxonMobil, BASF, Chevron Phillips, Shell, SABIC and INEOS have sent 70 lobbyists to negotiations. Greenpeace says these lobbyists have worked to weaken ambition and shift attention to 'false' solutions like chemical recycling. Away from the negotiating halls, these firms are accelerating production. Since the treaty talks began, seven companies alone have produced enough plastic to fill 6.3 million rubbish trucks, Greenpeace says, equivalent to five and a half trucks every minute. 'Our research shows that those with the most to lose from meaningful regulation are working hardest to obstruct it,' says Anna Diski, the report's author and senior plastics campaigner at Greenpeace UK. 'We can't allow the corporations who profit from plastic pollution to write the rules or we'll end up with a toothless Treaty. 'It's time to ban lobbyists from the talks and for UN Member States to stand firm and support a strong Treaty.' "The scientific consensus is clear," adds Professor Fletcher. "The only question is whether governments will respond. This treaty could be transformative, but only if it avoids the traps of voluntary commitments and techno-fixes. This is the world's last chance to act boldly." You can read more about the treaty's pathway over the past three years here, as well as an explainer on why INC-5.1 failed to secure an agreement.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Salvaging SDGs Still Possible, But Countries Must Act Now: Guterres
21 July 2025 Addressing ministers at UN Headquarters in New York, he called for urgent action to rescue lagging Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid war, inequality and fiscal strain. 'Transformation is not only necessary – it is possible,' he declared, highlighting landmark commitments adopted in recent months: the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, pledges to expand marine protected areas at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice, and the new vision for global finance agreed in Sevilla at the fourth International Financing for Development Conference. 'These are not isolated wins, they are signs of momentum and signs that multilateralism can deliver.' The remarks opened the ministerial segment of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the UN's central platform for reviewing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs. Get back on track Mr. Guterres warned that the world remains far off track to meet the 2030 targets. 'Only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress. Nearly half are moving too slowly. And 18 per cent are going backwards,' he said. He urged governments to act with urgency and ambition. 'The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream. They are a plan – a plan to keep our promises to the most vulnerable people, to each other, and to future generations.' Citing gains since 2015, including expanded social protection, declining child marriage and growing women's representation, he said the SDGs remain 'within reach' if world leaders channel resources and political will. The Secretary-General also linked development and peace, noting ongoing violence in Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine and elsewhere. 'At every step, we know sustainable peace requires sustainable development,' he said, calling for immediate ceasefires and renewed commitment to diplomacy. Double down on multilateralism Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council, echoed the SecretaryGeneral's call, warning that global disruption – from climate change to economic disarray – requires deeper solidarity. 'The SDGs are not optional ideals, but rather essential commitments,' he said. 'Now is not the time for us to abandon our ideals…it is now actually the time to double down on our multilateral obligations to one another.' Mr. Rae cautioned that shrinking national budgets and rising nationalist politics are undermining progress but insisted that 'multilateralism delivers real, tangible benefits for people at every level of society.' He called for closer partnerships with civil society, local governments, and the private sector, stressing that SDGs must be 'integrated into budgets and policies around the world, not as at odds, but as the core of how governments should serve their people.' Match ambition and delivery Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly, emphasized aligning political commitments with concrete action. He praised the Compromiso de Sevilla and last year's Pact for the Future, which aim to reform global financial systems, scale up climate finance, and strengthen international tax cooperation. 'The gap between ambition and delivery can only be closed through solidarity, resources and political will,' he said. 'The deadlines for the 2030 Agenda are fast approaching,' he warned. 'Whether we like it or not. And while progress is lagging, we have the tools and ambition to deliver.' Accountability and partnership The HLPF, established at the landmark Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012, serves as the primary UN platform for monitoring SDG progress, including through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). This year's forum, convened under the auspices of the ECOSOC, runs until 23 July with a focus on five goals: health, gender equality, decent work, life below water, and global partnerships. More than 150 countries have presented VNRs – with 36 reporting this year – showcasing national efforts and challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda. Mr. Guterres praised the reviews as 'acts of accountability' and 'templates for other countries to follow and learn from.' With just five years left to meet the global goals, he urged ministers to 'transform these sparks of transformation into a blaze of progress – for all countries.'
The Spinoff
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Spinoff
New Zealand isn't just failing to act on ocean protection, it's actively undoing progress
Representing Aotearoa at the UN Ocean Conference in France last month, marine scientist Veronica Rotman felt embarrassed by our lack of leadership and our inaction. Our ocean is in an accelerating state of decline, and we must do better. Representing Aotearoa at the UN Ocean Conference was a highlight of my career as a young marine scientist. But reflecting on my time connecting with scientists and leaders from around the world, I feel a sense of lingering unease. I have always been tremendously proud to be a Kiwi. I deeply love our culture and celebrate it at every opportunity. But this week I didn't feel pride in our country. I felt embarrassed. New Zealand isn't just failing to act on restoring our ocean – recent decisions further remove protections in place, actively undoing progress made towards it. Our government has abandoned plans to establish the significant Kermadec Rangitāhua Ocean Sanctuary, introduced legislation to fast track extractive proposals such as seabed mining, and repeatedly blocked international attempts to restrict bottom trawling on vulnerable deep sea ecosystems in the South Pacific. Meanwhile, developing nations are making big, bold, ambitious commitments to revitalise our ocean and strengthen our collective futures. During the United Nations Ocean Conference, I was honoured to be in the room when Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's climate change minister, announced a historical transboundary marine protected area between Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. French Polynesia committed ~1.1 million km² of its ocean to highly or fully protected marine protected areas. Chile pledged to protect over 50% of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Ghana declared a full ban of bottom trawling across its entire territorial sea. With minimal resources, they are still taking the most courageous action. Our Pacific neighbours understand that the health of the ocean is the same as the health of the people, that by caring for our oceans we are caring for ourselves. The ocean is not something we protect from a distance, but something we are inextricably part of. This is leadership in action – grounded in courage, collaboration and care. New Zealand, on the other hand… Well, just 0.4% of our EEZ is highly protected – that is, fully no-take. We are still the only country in the South Pacific bottom trawling for orange roughy in international waters, and we use bottom trawling to catch 70% of all commercial fish – including species such as tarakihi, snapper and hoki. This practice was recently highlighted in David Attenborough's film Ocean, and involves dragging a heavy weighted net across the seafloor – destroying seafloor habitat, releasing carbon, causing bycatch and undermining local food security. New Zealand still has some of the highest seabird bycatch in the world. We have fish and shellfish stocks that are on the brink of collapse, and our government has proposed to cap Māori customary marine rights from 100% of the coast to 5%, favouring commercial fishing interests and weakening indigenous ocean governance over ancestral marine areas. We have also not joined the 50 global leaders in ratifying the High Seas Treaty, which would help protect marine life in the high seas outside of any country's national jurisdiction – an area that currently has no rules or regulations. Essentially the wet wild west. Finally, in reference to his ambition to reopen oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa, Shane Jones, New Zealand's minister for oceans and fisheries, last month turned up to a parliamentary scrutiny session wearing a cap that read 'Make NZ great again, drill baby drill'. I wish I was kidding. I was on the world stage, representing my country that I love, but I was embarrassed by our lack of leadership and our inaction. Our ocean is in an accelerating state of decline, and our politicians are shown up (spectacularly) by their peers in the Global South. I am yet to speak to a scientist colleague who is satisfied with the status quo of marine environmental management in Aotearoa. At the UN Ocean Conference, I witnessed New Zealand get called out twice. Once for the country's inaction by Peter Thomson, the UN secretary general's special envoy for the ocean, and secondly by Vanuatu's Ralph Regenvanu for our bottom-trawling practices. This is shameful. We have to do better. As both a marine scientist and spearfisher, I experience the ocean's vulnerability and resilience firsthand. This is not anti-fishing rhetoric. We all love the ocean, and want it to flourish. But our actions must match our words. To start, our government must urgently prioritise marine protection by meeting its commitment to reach 30×30 marine protection, ratifying the High Seas Treaty now, restricting bottom trawling and supporting just transitions, upholding te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and honouring indigenous ocean knowledge and leadership, carrying out a commission of inquiry into the QMS and the monopolised quota ownership, and replacing our current regime with a transition to a more holistic ecosystem-based management approach. In an immunity booster shot of good news, New Zealand did pledge US$52 million to support ocean governance in Pacific Island Countries and contributed to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs. These are welcome commitments, but what we need is bold action in our own country that sets the bar high and dares others to follow. As I said in one of my speeches at the UN Ocean Conference, 'When we allow deep-sea mining, plastic pollution and overfishing, we are robbing future generations of choices, livelihoods, opportunities and food security. We are eroding their resilience and we are burdening our descendants with the cost of our convenience.' This is unacceptable. Ocean policy should outlast politics. The ocean should be considered in 100-year management plans and guided by intergenerational equity audits that assess the long-term impacts of marine policy and extractive approvals. I am sick of ocean action rising and falling with political tides. This is not about politics, this is about doing right by those who come after us. This is about their survival.
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Scoop
Vava'u Leads The Way: Tonga's Bold Step Toward A Sustainable Blue Future
Vava'u, a small but nature's beautifully crafted island in the Kingdom of Tonga, is a place of breathtaking beauty. As you stand at the top of the hill of Vava'u's Mt Talau, the vibrant hues of the water stretch out before you, a mesmerising blend of blues and greens. This serene landscape, however, is under threat from the relentless march of climate change. The Government of Tonga recently launched Phase II of the Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project in Vava'u, a milestone initiative, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), underscoring Tonga's strategic commitment to integrated environmental management and sustainable development. The launch, which coincided with the global momentum of the third UN Ocean Conference, positions Tonga as a Pacific leader in aligning local action with international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's Ocean Decade. Community at the Heart of Conservation Sailing through the Vaipua Channel over the deep blue waters observing Marine Protected Areas near Lualoli, Maninita, and Taula, and exploring eco-tourism and reef restoration opportunities around Taoa Village – these sites exemplify the project's emphasis on community-led conservation, traditional knowledge, and sustainable livelihoods. The project's focus on restoring marine and terrestrial ecosystems, particularly through community-led conservation efforts and the promotion of Marine Protected Areas, enhances Vava'u's appeal as a destination for environmentally conscious travelers. Vava'u also stands as a cornerstone of Tonga's tourism sector, blending natural beauty with sustainable development initiatives that highlight the island group's ecological and cultural richness. The launch marked a crucial moment in the Tonga's journey toward sustainable development and climate resilience addressing challenges and vulnerabilities while reflecting resilience, wisdom, and agency of Tonga's people, who have been stewards of their natural resources for generations. 'When the launch came to Vava'u, it felt like the world was finally seeing what we've always known – that our land and ocean are sacred,' says Siu Latu, 57, a housewife and women's group representative from Vaipua. 'We feel a deep sense of ownership and hope, not just for today but for our children's future. This hope is embodied in the launch of Phase II of Tonga's Ridge to Reef (R2R) Project with the aim to protect and restore the island's ecosystems – from its forested ridges to its coral reefs – while improving the lives of the 15,000 people who call Vava'u home. Having spent four days in Vava'u witnessing firsthand the landscapes of the project that aims to protect rich hillsides, reefs and mangrove lined shores, the signs of change were subtle but real. Standing on the bridge of the Vaipua channel, watching children and community members splash in the shallows to mid-deep blue and green waters – it intrigues to know that with the success of the project, these same children will grow up with cleaner water, stronger reefs, and more secure livelihoods. That hope is what this initiative is planting – quietly, steadily, like the mangroves along the shore connecting the land and sea – just as the project connects different parts of the ecosystem and the communities. The initiative is more than an environmental program – it's a lifeline. Implemented by Tonga's Department of Environment, the project integrates land, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems into a single management framework. It tackles the root causes of degradation – deforestation, poor land use, and unregulated coastal development while delivering tangible benefits: clean drinking water, food security, and protection from floods. But the real story lies in the people. Hopoate Latu, 58, a local farmer and youth leader, sees the project as a turning point. 'This will create opportunities for our youth, empower women in traditional weaving and handicrafts, and ensure sustainable fishing. Vaipua will become a model for Vava'u – blessed with bountiful marine life and agriculture farming.' Siosiua Fehoko, 38, says for majority women in the Vaipua channel, their source of income comes from fishing and by implementing the Ridge to Reef project, there are providing for their families. He said: 'By implementing what is required through this project, our means of support like plantation family, traditional weaving, and fishing are protected – for the future of our children.' A Living Connection Between Land and Sea The project's inception began with a three-day field visit to the Vaipua Channel, where stakeholders explored Marine Protected Areas and eco-tourism opportunities. Standing on the bridge overlooking the channel, children splashed in the shallows, their laughter echoing across the water. It's easy to imagine a future where these same children grow up with cleaner water, stronger reefs, and more secure livelihoods. Meleane Latu, 22, grew up in these villages. 'The ocean paid for our education,' she said. 'Now, we must protect it. Youth need to be educated on conservation so we can invest in our families' futures.' Siosiua Fehoko, 38, said: 'Fishing, weaving, farming – they are our lifelines. By following the project's guidance, we're protecting them for our children.' This approach not only strengthens ecological resilience but also supports Tonga's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. Reviving Fangauta Lagoon A key highlight was the strategic focus on Fangauta Lagoon, a vital urban ecosystem under pressure from sedimentation and pollution. To breathe life back into the critical waterway, the project will pilot a series of nature-based interventions including mangrove restoration, sustainable land-use practices, and targeted dredging to improve water flow and biodiversity. These efforts aim to restore critical habitats, improve water quality, and unlock eco-tourism and fisheries potential – while complementing existing community initiatives and national biodiversity strategies. These efforts are not just about ecological repair – they are about unlocking new opportunities. Shaping a Legacy Tonga's Ridge to Reef Phase II is more than a local initiative – it's a powerful voice from the Pacific in the global conversation on ocean governance. At the recent UN Ocean Conference, the urgent need to support Small Island Developing States like Tonga was clear: through targeted funding, knowledge sharing, and nature-based solutions, these nations can lead the way in protecting our planet's blue heart. The project exemplifies the Pacific's call for Blue Pacific Continent stewardship – where ocean health, climate action, and sustainable development are inseparable. With Phase II now underway, Tonga is not only restoring ecosystems but also reaffirming its role as a custodian of the ocean. As the sun sets over Vava'u, casting a golden glow over the land and sea, children playing by the water echo along the shores. Their laughter is more than joy. It's a call to action. This isn't just about reefs or ridges – it's about safeguarding a legacy. It's about ensuring that tomorrow's generation inherits not just land and sea, but the stories, the strength, and the spirit of a people who choose to protect what they love. In the quiet rhythm of waves and the whisper of mangroves, Tonga is writing a new chapter – one of resilience, unity, and hope.
