The Ministry of Home Affairs is pleased to advise that the Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Walter Roban, JP, MP, will be representing Bermuda at the United Nations Ocean Conference held in Lisbon, Portugal, from June 26th to July 1st, 2022
The governments of Portugal and Kenya are hosting this conference, highlighting the urgent need to protect and manage the oceans and will focus on mobilizing much-needed innovation toward scientific-based solutions to global challenges facing oceans. A focus will also be on providing solutions that involve green technology to manage oceans and make innovative and sustainable use of marine resources.
The weeklong event will be attended by delegates from the UN Member States, nongovernmental organizations, universities and entrepreneurs looking for ways to develop the ‘Blue Economy sustainably’. The conference will determine the level of ambition for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
At these conferences, Minister Roban will also have the opportunity to promote the Sargasso Sea Commission and encourage other governments to sign the Hamilton Declaration. He will also share Bermuda’s successes with our environmental initiatives in support of our economy, such as the Energy Regulatory Sandbox, the Marine Development Act, the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme’s Marine Spatial Plan, and Bermuda joining the UK Government’s Blue Shield Programme.
Minister Roban will be showcasing the progress of the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme (BOPP), a community-driven programme to foster the sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable use of ocean resources.
The programme involves the development of a ‘Blue Prosperity Plan’ that will outline the pathways for sustainable ocean development that includes the untapped potential in Bermuda among sustainable ocean industries for economic growth, infrastructure development, and job creation.
A critical part of the Blue Economy development is the designation of full protection for 20% of Bermuda’s waters to restore and grow ocean habitats and fish stocks. The Blue Prosperity plan will be released for public consultation later this year, and Bermudians will be encouraged to have their say on the future of Bermudian waters.
Accompanying Minister Roban is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Senior Marine Resources Officer Dr. Tammy Warren.
Minister Roban explained, “This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate Bermuda’s leading role in environmental initiatives that set the example to others in the Caribbean and globally. It will also allow us to strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones with environmental protection and sustainability leaders from organizations and countries worldwide.”
“The weeklong events and discussions will also allow us to investigate new funding opportunities and showcase Bermuda’s leading role in creating a blue economy.”
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