UN Ocean Conference 2022

India Statement by 

H.E. Mr.Jitendra Singh, Minister of Earth Sciences

•     I am honoured to address this assembly on the UN Conference on Sustainable Development Goal-14

•     We thank Portugal and Kenya, co- hosts of the conference and greatly appreciate the much needed initiative of  the President of United Nations for mobilising support for the timely actions on this important Sustainable Development Goal just  after the abetment of the Covid-19 pandemic.

•     The ocean covers over 70% of the planet, supports our life source, and that of every other organism on earth. The ocean works as a huge reservoir of heat and plays an important role in moderating the weather and climate. The ocean is responsible for almost half of the oxygen that is inhaled and also play a pivotal role in the carbon cycle. It is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. The ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.

•     As per COP resolutions, India under PM Modi is putting in efforts to protect at least 30 % of our lands, waters and oceans  and adhere to its commitment of 30X30 by 2030.

•     India has unveiled its vision for the next decade, listing thereby the ten most important dimensions of India’s growth till 2030. Led by PM Narendra Modi, Govt of India is in the process of unveiling the “Blue Economic Policy of India”.Deep Ocean Mission is being implemented by Ministry of Earth Sciences with six thematic areas. 

Sustainable Development Goal-14, which addresses some of the challenges faced by the life under water. India has taken up several initiatives, programmes and policy interventions through different Ministries and Departments to protect the marine and coastal ecosystems, mangroves and coral reefs. 

•     India partners with many countries on the areas of Integrated Ocean Management and framework for marine spatial plans for sustainable development and conservation of ecosystems. It has proposed to establish Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI)  to meet the needs and aspirations of the Pacific Island Countries (PIC).

•     India is committed to the “Coastal Clean Seas Campaign” and has declared that India by will soon  achieve complete ban on single use plastics.  One of the best examples is in phasing out of plastic /polyethylene bags and promoting the alternatives such as usage of cotton/jute cloth bags. The research to gather scientific data and information on Marine Litter in different matrices viz., coastal waters, sediments, biota and beaches as a part of formulating a National Policy has already begun.

•     India has well established collaboration and partnerships with UN Agencies and Research Institutions for bridging the methodology and data gaps on SDG indicators and working towards UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021–2030, for clean, healthy, productive, predictive, safe and accessible ocean.

•     I assure that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India would be providing science and innovation based solutions for the implementation of Goal 14 through partnerships and environmentally friendly solutions.