Address by HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa at the launch of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science

الحمد لله وحده، والصلاة والسلام على مولانا  رسول الله وآله وصحبه

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It is a great pleasure for me to take part with you in the launch of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. 

Coordinated by UNESCO, this commendable initiative reflects a growing awareness of the role of oceans in our history, and of their importance for the present and the future of humanity.   

ln Morocco, I am in a good position to bear testimony to the active, personal commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who set up the Foundation which I am honored to chair and which deals with climate and environmental issues. 

Thanks to His Majesty’s leadership, Morocco is today a frontrunner in the field of renewable energy.   

As the host of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22), held in Marrakech, the Kingdom lent its decisive support to several initiatives, such as the “Blue Belt” for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa. 

The potential of the marine wealth contained in seas and oceans is largely unknown. One of mankind’s true common possessions, this wealth needs to be used in a sustainable, responsible and equitable manner. 

For this reason, the Decade we are launching is a magnificent opportunity. 

It will provide the kind of high-level scientific knowledge we need to better protect our seas and the extraordinary biodiversity they contain. 

This Decade will generate global scientific solidarity, of which our continent, Africa, is in great need. 

Therefore, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, which I chair, is both proud and excited to join the Ocean Decade Alliance. It will take its role and responsibility in this Alliance to heart. 

On a more personal level, I am honored to be a sponsor of this Alliance and to take part in this global endeavor for the benefit for the seas and oceans. 

Through my humble person, Morocco wishes to thank the United Nations for this initiative, to which we will actively contribute. 

Together with you, we will promote this Decade of knowledge for the benefit of our seas and oceans, for the present and for the sake of future generations.

Thank you. I wish you every success. 

والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركاته