UN Oceans Conference “Blue Talks – The Road to Lisbon” Opening Remarks
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
03/06/2022
UN Oceans Conference
“Blue Talks – The Road to Lisbon”
Opening Remarks
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director General
As prepared
3 June 2022
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. ”Blue Talks” is an important stepping stone on the way to the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon next month,
2. And I wish to thank Kenya and Portugal for co-hosting this important dialogue.
3. Today I want to highlight the significant role that aquatic food systems – including food from the Ocean – can play for food security and nutrition, and poverty eradication.
4. The global impacts of the climate crisis, conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic and soaring food and fuel prices are hitting the poorest the hardest - increasing the number of hungry people and putting livelihoods at risk.
5. To address these challenges, we need to urgently transform our agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable,
6. And sustainable aquatic food systems are a vital part of this transformation.
7. This is at the core of FAO’s Programme Priority Area on “Blue Transformation” which aims to make healthy nutritional aquatic food available to all,
8. And to support delivery of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.
9. Blue Transformation focuses on the responsible and sustainable use of aquatic resources, while protecting the environment.
10. Blue Transformation contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, and supports Members to integrate aquatic foods in food security and nutritional strategies at national and global level.
Dear Colleagues,
11. FAO is closely supporting the Ocean Conference, as it is an important opportunity to promote the transformation of aquatic food systems within the broader global Oceans Agenda.
12. It also highlights the growing importance of aquatic foods as a vital source of nutritious food, and its critical role in supporting and improving livelihoods.
13. FAO is focused on scaling-up ocean action based on science and innovation, and is actively contributing to the Conference by promoting international action on aquatic food research, conservation, management and development.
14. We are also highlighting how our expertise, tools and practices can help Members maximize the contribution of aquatic foods for better nutrition, healthy diets and job protection.
15. We have already submitted 12 Voluntary Commitments to the Conference worth over 140 million US Dollars, focused on ocean health and transformed aquatic food systems.
16. I am pleased to lead the FAO delegation to the Ocean Conference, where among others I will open a high-level interactive dialogue on fisheries sustainability.
17. Furthermore, during a special event we will also launch the latest version of the FAO flagship report “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture”.
18. The FAO delegation will participate in plenary sessions and in over 20 side events covering a wide range of topics from ocean restoration, aquaculture development, small-scale fisheries, and the role of blue foods, among others.
19. We have less than 8 years to achieve SDG 14 and the 2030 Agenda.
20. The global situation is challenging, and we must use the momentum created by events like today’s Blue Talks and the UN Ocean Conference next month, to accelerate our actions and deliver on our commitments.
21. FAO is committed to continue working with Members and partners in an efficient, effective and coherent manner,
22. In supporting Members to achieve a Blue Transformation for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better lifer for all, leaving no one behind.
23. I look forward to seeing you all in Lisbon!
24. Thank you.