KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Matthew Samuda, will participate in the 9th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Athens, Greece from April 16  to 17.

He will also attend the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Use of the Ocean in Cyprus from April 18 to 19.

The OOC is themed ‘Our Ocean – An Ocean of Potential’ and will also feature participants from around the world from non-governmental organisations, academia, and private-sector companies.

The main focal points of the 9th OOC are climate change, biodiversity loss/marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, sustainable blue economy, marine security, and marine pollution.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth meeting is being held under the theme ‘Our Resilient Common Ocean: from Cyprus to Samoa’.

“We are on the front lines of the changing climate and shifting weather patterns, as we have seen rising sea levels causing erosion, saltwater intrusion in our water supply, sewage discharge destroying our reefs and fish populations, and deteriorating soil quality. Therefore, we will be drawing on the support of our international partners at these events to address ocean-related agendas and implement our shared international commitments,” Samuda said.

Ministers will be able to share perspectives, assess progress, and address global obligations, including those outlined in SDG14, UNFCCC COPs, CBD Global Biodiversity Framework, the High-Seas Treaty for the Protection of Biodiversity in areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and discussions toward a binding agreement on plastic pollution.

“Jamaica is facing a triple planetary crisis consisting of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, in particular, plastic pollution. That is why we recently tabled Jamaica Omnibus Protected Areas Policy Green Paper and will be implementing phase 4 of the ban on some plastic materials on June 1 of this year,” Samuda added.