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The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development ( “Ocean Decade 2021 to 2030” ) China Seminar was held in Qingdao, Shandong on 8 June 2021. It’s one of the World Ocean Day and National Ocean Awareness Day activities, as well as a series of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of China’s restoration of its legal seat at the UN.
At its 72nd session in 2017, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution declaring 2021 to 2030 Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and authorized Commission of UNESCO to take the lead in formulating an implementation plan. The 75th session of the UN General Assembly deliberated and approved the “Ocean Decade” Plan in 2020. The “Ocean Decade” was officially launched in January 2021, The vision of the “Ocean Decade” is to “build the science we need for the ocean we want” and aims to “promote transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean”. It’s an important UN resolution to promote sustainable ocean development and the most important global Marine science initiative in the coming decade. It will have a far-reaching impact on the development of Marine science and global marine governance. The mission, vision and goals of the “Ocean Decade” are highly compatible with the “Maritime community with a shared”, “Technology prospers the sea” and “New Development Concept” advocated by the Chinese government. General Secretary Jinping Xi proposed “to build a new ecosystem of open innovation, enabling science and technology to make greater contribution to building a community of shared future for mankind”. In the marine filed, Chinese marine and oceanographic deeply feel the importance and sense of mission of contributing China’s wisdom and strength, actively responding to the “Ocean Decade” initiative, and constantly promoting innovation in marine science and technology and marine governance, so as to contribute to the sustainable development of the ocean. Ocean Awareness Day’s theme is “Protecting Marine Biodiversity, Harmonious Co-existence of Man and Nature”, the Seminar with Oceans Awareness Day's theme focus on comprehensive understanding of ocean technology innovation, marine ecology and biodiversity protection, and ocean’s role in carbon neutrality. Discuss with scientific frontiers such as goals, the discovery of special deep-sea habitats, and domestic scientific practices, and discuss the action goals and implementation content of China’s participation in the “Ocean Decade”. 
As the first major event of China’s participation in the “Ocean Decade”, the seminar was jointly organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources(SOA), the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and organized by the First Institute of Oceanography, MNR. The seminar is divided into opening ceremony, special report, discussion and other links. Wang Hong, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Director of the State Oceanic Administration, Zengqian Hou, Vice-director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Bingchang Ji, Vice-Governor of Shandong Provincial People’s Government, and Haozhi Zhao, Mayor of Qingdao Municipal People’s Government attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the IOC of UNESCO, congratulated the convening of the conference by video, expressed appreciation for China’s active participation in the “Ocean Decade”, also expressed the desire for China to play a bigger role in the “Ocean Decade” and promote the organization and implementation of relevant activities. Academicians, well-known experts, government departments, industries, and non-profit organizations in related filed in China jointly discussed the scientific and international governance issues involved the “Ocean Decade”, actively publicized the concept and connotation of the “Ocean Decade”, and demonstrated China’s in-depth participation Marine cooperation under the framework of the United Nations, expressed to the Marine science and technology innovation, promoting the sustainable development of ocean and the desire to contribute.
This seminar received extensive attention and active participation from the government and all sectors of society. More than 260 representations from more than 120 units and institution from national ministries, local governments, scientific research institution, universities, enterprises, social organizations and international organizations participated the large-scale seminar. The conference was broadcast lively through Xinhua News Agency, and received more than 300,000 views online. (see also: https://www.fio.org.cn/news/news-detail-9914.htm) |
The United Nations “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development” China Seminar was successfully held
Date: 2021-06-10 17:46 Author: Jiayi Guo Clicks: