DILI, 16 april 2024 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, participated in the Ninth Our Ocean Conference which took place between april 15 and 17 in Athens, Greece.
The conference with the theme, ‘An Ocean of Potential’ aims to foster collaborative efforts and encourage the submission of clear and measurable voluntary commitments to protect and sustainably manage the world’s seas and oceans and their resources.
Speaking at the conference, Xanana Gusmão said that Timor-Leste had committed itself to take serious actions for the protection and ensure sustainability of the oceans and seas.
“As a Small Island Developing State, we are looking to build a Blue Economy so that we can conserve our environment and provide opportunities for our people,” said Gusmão.
He said that IX Constitutional Government under his leadership is making every effort to develop a Blue Economy Policy and Action Plan: “An initiative I personally oversee. This Plan will set out concrete actions to protect our ocean, including efforts to: expand our Marine Protected Areas to conserve our biodiversity and tropical reefs; establish Ataúro Island as a national marine park to sustainably manage and protect its marine life; develop a Marine Education Centre to improve marine literacy for our people, including our young people, and take action to combat illegal fishing and stopping plastic pollution of our seas.”
Gusmão stressed that none of this would be possible without global cooperation and meaningful partnerships driven by concrete actions and urgent actions.
“We now have a better understanding of the need for these small pieces of land, anchored in the sea – our island-States united in our shared connection to the ocean – to work together to achieve sustainable development and marine conservation,” said Prime Minister.
He added that as a Small Island Developing State, Timor-Leste also needs to learn from the experiences of other countries and forge partnerships to protect and sustain its ocean: “We look forward to working together to protect our ocean.”
“For Timor-Leste, our relationship with the ocean runs deep. Timor-Leste enjoys unparalleled marine biodiversity, with over 75% of the world’s coral reef species calling our waters home. Timor’s seas are a sanctuary for marine life. Every year we welcome the migration of majestic creatures, like pygmy blue whales, along our north coast,” he concluded.
Journalsit: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
