To introduce this new campaign, PGA hosted a side event to the UN Oceans Conference on 5 June 2017 at the UN Headquarters in New York on The Role of Legislators in Protecting the Oceans and Implementing SDG 14.
The UN Oceans Conference focused on contributing to the follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing an input to the high-level political forum on sustainable development, in accordance with resolutions 67/290 of 9 July 2013, 70/1 of 25 September 2015 and 70/299 of 29 July 2016, on the implementation of Goal 14, including on opportunities to strengthen progress in the future.
PGA’s official side event benefited from the keynote speaker Mr. Tony Long, Director of the Ending Illegal Fishing Project of The Pew Charitable Trusts and presentations on country situations by the PGA Board Members Hon. Mr. Kula Segaran, MP Malaysia, and Hon. Mr. Mamadou Lamine Thiam, MP Senegal. The meeting was moderated by the Chair of the PGA International Council, Ms. Margareta Cederfelt, MP Sweden and the PGA Treasurer, Ms. Petra Bayr, MP Austria.
Mr. Tony Long gave his view on the importance of the oceans and the necessity to act fast to improve the current situation of these oceans. With over 26 million tons of fish stolen each year from the Oceans means a huge economic and employment loss for countries. This is due to an insufficient international legal system, which makes it difficult to prosecute those responsible. A new international legal framework is necessary and PGA can play a big role in that process and make a change by having a network of over 1400 legislators. There’s an urgent need for international cooperation and bring cross section ideas together. With the help of everybody we can be confident to move forward together.
Hon. Mr. Kula Segaran, Chair of the Malaysia National Group, informed participants that IUU fishing is a specific problem in the Asia Pacific region. Several states in the region have therefore adopted a Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices (RPOA) to combat IUU fishing and make the fishery industry more transparent. He acknowledged that such a problem cannot be tackled by one country alone, transnational solutions and Action Plans are needed. Therefore international cooperation is key to find solutions to these problems.
Hon. Mr. Mamadou Lamin Thiam, Chair of the PGA Senegal National Group, underlined that we need to internationally cooperate on the combat of IUU fishing, because it is also a reoccurring theme through Africa, which is happening on a daily basis. The only way to resolve the illegal fishing problem in Africa is through cooperation and the passing of information and expertise among countries. As elected legislators, he stressed out that it’s important to strengthen the knowledge, skills and capacities of parliamentarians, through developing programs, appropriate information and training. Only then relevant legislation can be implemented to achieve more transparency in the fishing industry and higher prosecution of ocean crimes.
Ms. Petra Bayr, MP stressed out the importance of working together as Parliamentarians because to be successful on the Oceans means to collaborate on different levels. Healthy and reliable Oceans need reliable Parliamentarians.
The PGA Delegation to the Oceans Conference further included Dip. Margarita Stolbizer, President of PGA and MP Argentina, Dep. D. Upira Sunguma, MP Democratic Republic of Congo and Dep. Shri Tariq Anwar, MP of India.
The outcome of the Oceans Conference underlined the call for action on our Oceans, our future and the commitment to conserve and sustainably use of our oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, because they are critical to our future and common humanity in all its diversity. During the Conference 1372 voluntary commitments to contribute to the implementation of SDG 14 have been registered.
