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President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) – Life Below Water – during the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).
In his keynote address, President Bio urged global partners to take immediate actionable steps to protect ocean health.
President Bio asserted the alarming state of the oceans, stating, “The ocean, which connects the world, is sending distress signals that we can no longer ignore.”
He further described the conference as a crucial platform for addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
During his speech, the President presented concerning statistics, including that 90 percent of large fish species are overexploited or depleted, and coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate.
He also focused on the challenges facing West Africa, noting that the region has become a hotspot for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Sierra Leone, he revealed, loses approximately $50 million annually to IUU fishing, resources that could be better utilized for education, healthcare, and food security.
“It is essential to recognize that implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 is not a luxury, and certainly not optional. It is an urgent necessity for our economies, our ecosystems, and ultimately, for our survival,” President Bio stated.
To reinforce Sierra Leone’s commitment to ocean sustainability, he announced three key national initiatives, which includes:
Expansion of Marine Protected Areas to preserve biodiversity and restore marine ecosystems; Restoration of Mangrove Forests, with a target of restoring at least 30,000 hectares, vital for coastal protection and carbon sequestration, and Nationwide Campaign Against Plastic Pollution, aiming for a 50 percent reduction in plastic pollution by the end of the decade.
President Bio concluded by emphasizing the need for global cooperation, declaring, “Let us work together to take the bold actions needed to secure a sustainable future for our oceans and our planet.”
