Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto van Klaveren sign decree to enact National Oceanic Program
The instrument includes 41 initiatives articulated by five ministries around areas such as conservation, economic development, security and ocean, ocean and territory, and scientific development.
As president of the Council of Ministers for Ocean Policy, Foreign Affairs Minister Alberto van Klaveren has signed the decree to enact the National Oceanic Program.
The ministers of Defense, Maya Fernández; Economy, Development and Tourism, Nicolás Grau; Environment, Maisa Rojas; Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Aisén Etcheverry; and the Commander in Chief of the Navy, Admiral Juan Andrés de la Maza, also took part in the ceremony.
The instrument includes 41 initiatives articulated by five ministries around areas such as conservation, economic development, security and ocean, ocean and territory, and scientific development. They were developed in a multisectoral manner with a view to consolidating the harmonious and responsible use of the ocean, with sustainability as a guiding principle.
“We are convinced that the goals set out in the program will continue to safeguard Chile’s interests in the Pacific Ocean, and our country can thus continue to develop its historic and inescapable calling for the ocean,” Minister van Klaveren stated.
In this sense, he reminded that 43% of our country’s jurisdictional waters are under some form of protection, surpassing global goals in which more than 100 countries are aspiring to protect 30% of their waters by 2030. “Chile exceeded that goal several years ago, which demonstrates our leadership and strong commitment in this area,” the minister added.
However, he insisted that work must continue to develop an appropriate management mechanism that translates into effective protection, in line with the sustainable development goals.
“We know that an important part of climate change adaptation relates to the ocean, since one of the main effects of this phenomenon is the rise in sea level, as well as the increase in temperature and acidification. Therefore, one of our country’s great tasks will be to undertake palliative measures to help us appropriately adapt to these changes, remembering that many people live in coastal areas and depend on marine resources to sustain themselves,” the minister stated.
World Ocean Day
As part of the celebrations for World Ocean Day, the foreign affairs minister participated in a commemoration in the National Congress. It was led by the president of the Senate, Juan Antonio Coloma, and the president of the Lower House, Vlado Mirosevic.
At the occasion, the minister underlined Chile’s strong commitment to an oceanic foreign policy that takes charge of the challenges facing the health of the oceans. He also announced that this month he will attend the enactment of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty, at the United Nations.
“This instrument fills a very important gap in ocean governance, opening up a path of greater knowledge and equitable access to the riches offered by the high seas. In addition, as President Boric stated in this same place during his State-of-the-Nation Address, Chile has proposed Valparaíso as the headquarters of the agreement, committing us to being the world’s capital for ocean protection,” Minister van Klaveren concluded.