First UN Special Envoy for the Ocean
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: The Office of the Prime Minister
News story | Date: 20/09/2017
‘I welcome the appointment of Peter Thomson as UN Special Envoy for the Ocean. This is a clear expression of the Secretary-General’s strong leadership. This increased focus on the challenges and opportunities relating to the world’s oceans is crucial if we are to achieve sustainable development,' said Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
The UN Secretary-General is stepping up the UN’s ocean efforts by appointing former General Assembly president Peter Thomson as the first UN Special Envoy for the Ocean.The appointment was announced at the summit on the oceans that was held in the margins of the UN General Assembly on 20 September.
- I am pleased to announce that Norway will provide support and funding for the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, and we are looking forward to cooperating with him closely,’ said Solberg.
Value creation based on marine resources will depend on our ability to maintain good environmental status and on species and habitat diversity in the seas and oceans. The Norwegian Government will continue to raise awareness of this issue internationally, and will play an active role in efforts to find good solutions. In 2019, in Oslo, Norway will host the sixth Our Ocean, a major international conference aimed at improving the environmental state of the oceans.
'The oceans hold the key to our future. However, marine litter is a growing international problem. Norway is taking part in international efforts to combat marine litter and microplastics, and we are launching a development programme that aims to reduce marine waste and improve waste management in developing countries,’ said Ms Solberg.