Through Manila statement to protect the marine environment

The global conference on the connection between the mainland and the ocean (GLOC) ending January 30 in the Philippine capital Manila has approved the Manila Declaration on marine environmental protection.

The 65-member delegate to the conference affirmed the central role of the marine and oceanic environment, and pledged to strengthen efforts to protect the oceans in the face of pollution caused by land activities. .

The GLOC Conference is jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Philippine Government. The conference attracted the participation of environmental ministers from countries, marine scientists, NGOs, global financial institutions, discussing basic contents to shape policies and new action to strengthen sustainable management of the sea, ocean and coastal areas.

The approved Manila Declaration affirmed a global commitment to developing policies to control wastewater, marine waste and sources of sea and ocean pollution from fertilizer sources, and called for increased strengthening action in the period of 2012 - 2016 at all levels from local, national to global.

In addition, the Manila Declaration calls on the international community to strengthen joint action to reduce vulnerability to threatening coastal communities against the effects of climate change, while addressing effective risk of loss of biodiversity, pollution of organic matter and ocean acidification caused by human activities on land.

The statement emphasizes healthy, unpolluted ocean and coastal areas that will play an important role in supporting human life and food security.