On 23 May 2024, at the German House in New York, the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, delivered聽opening remarks [hyperlink] at a panel entitled 鈥淧reserving our High Seas: A Call to Action for Ocean Protection鈥�. The panel was co-hosted by the German Federal Ministry for the environment, the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations in New York and Team Malizia (2024 Vend茅e Globe competitors).
In his opening remarks, the Legal Counsel emphasized that preserving our ocean is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, a challenge the sailing community is experiencing directly, as it is the first witness to the vastness, power and fragility of the ocean. In this regard, he highlighted several significant issues facing the ocean, including large-scale pollution and overfishing. However, the Legal Counsel also expressed hope and stressed the progress being made. The international community has recognized the urgency to protect the ocean and its biodiversity as evidenced by a number of initiatives and achievements. Amongst these, he mentioned the historic adoption of the BBNJ Agreement, the annual celebration of United Nations World Oceans Day and the forthcoming High-level Event on Ocean Action entitled 鈥淚mmersed in Change鈥�, organized by Costa Rica, in June 2024 as tangible examples of the global commitment to raise awareness and prompt for action. The Legal Counsel concluded by stating that events like this panel are part of this necessary mobilization in favor of the ocean.
