UN Ocean Conference 2022

Table of Contents

UN Ocean Conference 2022- Relevance for UPSC Exam

UN Ocean Conference: UN Ocean Conference 2022 is being held to ensure global cooperation towards protection and sustenance of the Ocean ecosystem of the world. UN Ocean Conference 2022 will come under UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 (International Relations- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate) and GS Paper 3 (Environment- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation).

UN Ocean Conference 2022 in News

UN Ocean Conference 2022 is being held for five days with participation of over 130 countries from across the world.
- Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh is leading the Indian delegation at UN Ocean Conference.

UN Ocean Conference 2022

About: The UN Ocean Conference is a unique opportunity to boost collective efforts and find science-based solutions to effectively address the challenges that the ocean is now facing.
Host Countries: UN Ocean Conference 2022 is being co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya.
- Liu Zhenmin, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, will serve as the Secretary-General of the UN Ocean Conference 2022.
Participation: Heads of Government and State together with leaders from the private sector, the scientific community and other partners will gather at the UN Ocean Conference.
- They are expected to chart a new pathway that would ensure the protection and conservation of the ocean and its resources.
Mandate: UN Ocean Conference aims to find an international agreement on protecting the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources.
- It aims at scaling up Ocean Action Based on Science and Innovation for the Implementation of SDG 14 (Life Below Water): Stocktaking, Partnerships and Solutions.
Significance: To mobilize action towards achievement of SDG 14, the Ocean Conference will seek to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action.
Sustainable Ocean Ecology: Solutions for a sustainably managed ocean involve green technology and innovative uses of marine resources. They also include-
- Addressing the threats to health, ecology, economy and
- Governance of the ocean – acidification, marine litter and pollution, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the loss of habitats and biodiversity.

UN Glasgow Climate Change Conference (COP 26)

India’s Actions Towards Ensuring Sustainable Ocean Ecosystem

India has taken up several initiatives, programmes and policy interventions to protect the marine and coastal ecosystems, mangroves and coral reefs
India has already taken a big lead in Green Technology. India’s 2030 goal is to reduce India’s emissions by 45 percent by adding 500 gigawatts of renewable energy generators to the country’s power kitty.
- It will result in reducing almost one billion tonne of India’s CO2 emissions.
India recently undertook a nationwide awareness campaign to clean plastic and other waste from coastal areas and this mission will soon become a Jan Andolan.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14- Life Under Water

About SDGs: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) were adopted in 2015 as an integral aspect of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- SDGs are a set of 17 transformative goals towards ensuring a sustainable development, and sustainable future.
SDG 14: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14- Life Under Water, stresses the need to conserve and sustainably use the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources.
Key Objectives: Advancement of Goal 14 is guided by specific targets that focus on an array of ocean issues, including-
- Reducing marine pollution,
- Protecting marine and coastal ecosystems,
- Minimizing acidification,
- Ending illegal and over-fishing,
- Increasing investment in scientific knowledge and marine technology, and
- Respecting international law that calls for the safe and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources.