ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirate, March 6 (NNN-WAM) – The sixth edition of the World Ocean Summit, kicked off Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, marking the first time the international conference comes to the Middle East.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, both attended the conference, while Prince Albert of Monaco addressed delegates, calling for a global effort to fight against the deterioration of the seas.
“The oceans concern everyone,” Albert said. “They need the action of everyone, because more than ever before, they are at the heart of our planet and will determine its future — our future.”
Razan Al Mubarak, managing director of the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi, told delegates, in a panel discussion, on the UAE’s Blue Economy that the Gulf region was particularly vulnerable to rising temperature.
“Our seas are getting warmer and our species of fish are existing at the threshold of their abilities to survive,” she said.
The 2019 World Ocean Summit, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, will provide a forum for over 500 delegates, including heads of state, political leaders, policymakers, and scientists from more than 26 countries.
The three-day summit aims to build greater collaboration across regions and connect the world to new ideas and perspectives, on how to promote a sustainable blue economy, and to explore new ways to mitigate the adverse impact of human pressure on ocean health.– NNN-WAM
