Commonwealth_ African and Commonwealth nations are saying that we need to act to make the High Seas Treaty work. They believe it is vital to act on countries’ pledges to protect the oceans. The 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, made this statement. This event marks the time an African country has hosted this big meeting about taking care of the oceans.
The conference had people from different countries, including leaders, people who make rules, experts on the environment, and people from organizations around the world. They came from Africa, the United States, the European Union, and islands in the Caribbean and Pacific. They discussed problems like climate change, losing biodiversity, pollution in the oceans, and fishing too much. People fear countries have broken their promises to protect the oceans. Experts pointed out that a lack of rules enforcing protection renders many designated areas unsafe.
One of the things they talked about was the High Seas Treaty. This treaty is officially called the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. It became a law in January after 60 countries agreed to it. This treaty is a deal because it creates a legal framework to protect areas in international waters.
People who support the treaty think it can help protect 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. International waters cover half of the Earth and have some of the most important ecosystems. Until now these areas have not had legal protections. Even with this progress, the people at the conference said that the treaty will only work if countries act fast to implement it. Environmental advocates claimed that only a small portion of the oceans receives real protection. Despite the designation of more areas as protected, their safety remains questionable.
One big problem is fishing. Big fishing companies fish in parts of the ocean and sometimes catch many other species by mistake. This hurts the fish and the places where they live. Experts said that we need rules and better enforcement to use the oceans’ resources in a sustainable way. Kenya, the host of the conference, is emerging as a leader in ocean conservation. The country has made plans to manage its coastline, created protected areas, and is working to stop illegal fishing. Kenya’s coastline and ocean are crucial for its economy and for the people who live there.
The conference also showed how important the Commonwealth is in taking care of the oceans. The Commonwealth has 56 member states that control a part of the world’s oceans and many coral reefs. This gives the organization a role in protecting the oceans. African countries are becoming leaders in protecting the oceans. They are working together to manage the oceans and are making progress. For example, some countries in the Gulf of Guinea have promised to take care of their oceans by 2030. This shows that African countries want to be leaders in protecting the environment and using resources in a way that is sustainable.
At the end of the conference, attendees agreed that the next few years are crucial for the oceans’ future. If we can make the High Seas Treaty work, it could be a step towards protecting the oceans and using their resources in a sustainable way. The High Seas Treaty is a part of the solution, and African and Commonwealth nations are saying that we need to act fast to make it work. The oceans need our help. We need to take care of them. The High Seas Treaty can help us do just that. We need to make sure it is implemented quickly and effectively.
