Hasan Mahmud attends '9th Our Ocean Conference' in Greece

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud attended the "9th Our Ocean Conference Greece 2024" held in Athens on 16-17 April.

He led a delegation at the Conference which is a regular platform for governments, international organisations, academia, private sectors and NGOs to come together with the aim of sharing a common vision for the protection of oceans and taking actions to support this vision.

The conference was inaugurated by the Greek President through a video message, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the first day, apart from various plenary sessions on the greening of the shipping sector, confronting plastic pollution, effective management of marine protected areas, and ocean-climate nexus, the foreign minister participated in a high-level segment with the participation of Heads of State/Government, preceded by an event where the Geek Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech.

The foreign minister also took part in a working lunch hosted by the Greek foreign minister in honour of the participating foreign ministers.

On the morning of 16 April, on the sidelines of the conference, the foreign minister had a bilateral meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister, George Gerapetritis.

The ocean plays a key role in human existence; it is essential for people's survival, well-being and prosperity.

It provides food, regulates our climate, and generates most of the oxygen we breathe.

It also serves much of the world's economy, supporting sectors from tourism to fisheries and to international shipping while it is connected to our culture and is a major source of inspiration.

However, the health of seas and the ocean, and of marine ecosystems in particular, is threatened by unsustainable practices such as discharges of wastewater and marine litter, unregulated and unreported fishing, and unsustainable shipping and tourism activities, said the speakers.

They said it is essential to join efforts on a global scale to mitigate the negative impacts of human interventions and improve the current state of our oceans.

Collaboration among nations, NGOs, private entities, academia, professional groups, civil society organisations and more is of paramount importance for implementing effective solutions, fostering sustainable practices, and safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of oceans.