HomeBureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific AffairsRemarks & Releases…Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn’s Head of Delegation Remarks at Our Ocean Conference

# 											Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn’s Head of Delegation Remarks at Our Ocean Conference									

Remarks

Jennifer R. Littlejohn, Acting Assistant SecretaryBureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

Athens, Greece

April 16, 2024

Your excellencies, distinguished guests, and fellow friends of the ocean. 

As we come together today, at the midpoint of this critical decade for the planet, time is not on our side. With each passing day the ocean gets warmer, more acidic, and less productive. Sea levels rise, and storms worsen. The survival of life in the ocean, from the smallest corals to greatest whales, is on the line. So too is the food security, economic security, and prosperity of us all.

We come together today for one thing: ocean action!

Because while time may not be on our side, we have the power to act now. We have the power to act together. 

We have youth on our side! With us this week are young leaders from more than 40 countries who are finding solutions to the ocean crisis, the pollution crisis, and the climate crisis. 

We have philanthropy and non-governmental organizations on our side. They are here in force, once again, for a healthy ocean.

We have science, Indigenous people’s knowledge, and private sector partners on our side. They bring the research and innovation we need to solve the major challenges of our time.

We have truth on our side, thanks to the journalists and environmentalists who tell the stories of those who live and work along the coasts and on the ocean—often at great personal risk.

We have each other on our side, this global community that represents countries large and small, island nations and landlocked states, local and Indigenous communities, all here in support of our ocean.

And consider all we have done together over these past few years:

          - We came together around a global commitment to protect at least 30 percent of the ocean.
          - We concluded negotiations on agreements to protect the high seas and prevent harmful fisheries subsidies, both after decades of effort.
          - Right now, we are negotiating an agreement to end plastic pollution.

And his list goes on.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, we have the ocean on our side.

As the Ocean panel tells us, ocean-based climate solutions can deliver up to 35 percent of the annual greenhouse gas emission cuts needed in 2050 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

These solutions include decarbonizing the shipping industry, restoring and conserving ocean habitats, promoting renewable energy, and more.

With so much on our side and so much at stake, this is the time for ocean action!  The United States is committed to achieving 30×30 for the ocean, at home and globally.  We invite all countries to join the Ocean Conservation Pledge to commit to conserving or protecting at least 30 percent of their ocean waters.

The new High Seas Treaty creates, for the first time, a coordinated approach to establishing marine protected areas on the high seas, a critical step in reaching 30×30.

The United States continues to support proposals to establish marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.

These proposals enjoy broad scientific and political support.

Our team is working night and day on a global agreement to end plastic pollution.

Over these next two days you will hear about these and other actions as part of the 57 commitments the United States brings to this Our Ocean Conference valued at more than half a billion dollars.

          - We are announcing nearly $230 million to support ocean-based climate solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve global climate resilience.
          - We are announcing a range of commitments focused on addressing IUU fishing, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to responsible fisheries management and ocean protection.
          - We are committing over $78 million to combat ocean pollution including $14.5 million for the End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative, or EPPIC, to mobilize solutions now.

Our challenge and opportunity are to build on the incredible momentum for action and reverse the decline of the ocean.

Thank you to Greece for bringing us all together in this beautiful setting.

Thank you all for everything you do each day for a healthier ocean.

For the sake of the ocean and for future generations, we must do this together.

The time to act is now! Thank you.

Tags

Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific AffairsGreeceOceansOur Ocean Conference

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