Permanent Mission of ROK to the UN
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is an honour to join you this evening to celebrate World Oceans Day.
Let me begin by thanking Ambassador Jongin Bae, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea for hosting this event. I commend the Republic of Korea and Chile for their vital leadership as we look ahead to the Fourth UN Ocean Conference in 2028.
Today, as we celebrate World Oceans Day, we also reaffirm our shared responsibility to protect the ocean and the very life support system that sustains us.
The ocean is the beating heart of life on Earth. It regulates our climate, nurtures rich biodiversity, provides food and livelihoods for billions, and connects countries, cultures, and communities worldwide.
More than a natural resource, the ocean is the foundation of human well-being, prosperity, and resilience.
Yet, this foundation is fracturing. Ocean health is declining. With only four years to 2030, progress on SDG 14 remains far off track.
The symptoms of the ocean crisis are undeniable everywhere. Ocean temperatures are rising, marine heatwaves are more frequent and intense, biodiversity is under growing pressure, and pollution threatens ecosystems and communities alike.
Many marine ecosystems are struggling with the combined impacts of climate change and unsustainable human activities.
For coastal communities, rising sea levels are no longer a distant threat; they are a present reality, reshaping shorelines, economies, and entire ways of life.
Yet, the ocean remains one of humanity's greatest sources of hope.
Protecting and restoring ocean health is not just an environmental imperative; it is critical to food security, economic prosperity, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
In recent years, we have witnessed the enduring strength of multilateralism in advancing this agenda.
Through the UN Ocean Conferences, we have witnessed Governments, international organizations, businesses, scientists, civil societies, and local communities unite to forge partnerships, mobilize actions, and advance solutions to the ocean crisis.
Encouragingly, these efforts are yielding real results. Across the globe, stakeholders are stepping up with concrete commitments: from expanding marine protected areas, advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, to tackling marine pollution, strengthening ocean science, and empowering our youth.
The Third UN Ocean Conference in Nice last year generated renewed momentum, reminding us that no country can solve an ocean crisis that transcend borders, sectors, and institutions. The challenges we face are interconnected, and so must be our responses.
As we look ahead to 2028, the Republic of Korea and Chile have a historic opportunity to build on that momentum.
UNOC4 will take place at a pivotal moment. It will serve as our platform to accelerate SDG 14 in the final stretch to 2030, while simultaneously shaping a sustainable vision for the ocean beyond 2030.
The journey ahead requires us to strengthen partnerships, mobilize resources ¡ªespecially ocean finance¡ªand champion transformative solutions. We must keep the ocean at the very centre of sustainable development.
Every investment in a healthy ocean is an investment in our shared future.
The UN stands ready to support the co-hosts and partners every step of the journey.
Happy World Oceans Day.
Thank you.