Rabat, 23 May 2022
An International Conference brought together Moroccan and African Ocean stakeholders in Rabat, in the run-up to the upcoming UN Ocean Conference, in Lisbon from June 27 to July 1.
The Mohammed VI Foundation for the Environmental Protection, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, held a “BLUE TALK” on the “United Nations Ocean Conference 2022: The Role of Science and Innovation in Morocco and Africa”, in partnership with the Embassy of Portugal in Morocco, in presence of Mr. Mohamed Sadiki, Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development and Water and Forests and Mr. José Maria Costa, Portuguese Secretary of State for the Sea, along several high-level speakers and experts from national and international institutions, including two contributions from Mr. Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC UNESCO Executive Secretary, and Mr. Peter Thomson, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean.
Held at the Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training, the Foundation’s academic branch, the BLUE TALK continues ongoing work and activities by the Foundation and its partners over the past 20 years. Her Royal Highness Princess LALLA HASNAA was named Patron of the UN Alliance for the Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development in 2021. True to the spirit, in keeping the momentum developed, the Foundation held a national partner workshop on May 18, 2022, in collaboration with IOC UNESCO, and will hold the Foundations’ Dialogue as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development Event from June 1 to 3, 2022.
Quotes
Mr. José Maria Costa, Secretary of State for the Sea, Portugal:
“The Second United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in Lisbon from June 27 to July 1, is the perfect stage to move from talk to action. Portugal hopes all nations of the world will attend the UN Ocean Conference with great resolve and commitment to act on reversing the deterioration of ocean health.
Portugal hopes that bold commitments agreed at the Conference lead to full implementation of SDG target 14, of the 30by30 Initiative to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, and support future UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development activities”.
Both “Blue Talk” panels gave speakers and participants the opportunity to highlight science and innovation for sustainable ocean utilization, further develop priority issues for the UN Conference in Lisbon, drive momentum of UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development activities, build new partnerships and leverage successful existing ones and generally foster innovative partnerships with practical and sustainable positive impact.
The Mohammed VI Foundation for the environmental protection, true to its fundamental mission of awareness raising and education, has for 20 years strived to federate all stakeholders around protecting the environment and sustainable development.
The Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training is the academic branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa in June 2019.