In his remarks to the opening of the 40th annual Conference of the Centre for Oceans Law and Policy, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ official also emphasized that oceans are fundamental to meeting many of the world\u2019s most pressing challenges, such as fighting hunger, providing clean energy and countering climate change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey regulate the climate and provide an incredible range of natural resources, nutritious food, and jobs that benefit billions of people,\u201d he said, while cautioning that humans\u2019 impact on oceans and seas is taking a heavy toll. \u201cMany marine species are at serious risk from ocean warming and over-fishing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Eliasson drew attention to the threats posed by rising sea levels to small island nations, which \u201cbear so little responsibility for climate change but are on the frontlines of its imprint on their nations and people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Conference, organized in cooperation with the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Office of Legal Affairs<\/a>, focuses on the legal order for the world\u2019s oceans and the regime under the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Convention on the Law of the Sea.<\/p>\n It is also the first annual conference since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development<\/a> and Paris Agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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