Cardinal Turkson leads
the Holy See Delegation at Oceans Conference

This week, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and  gave four interventions as Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: "Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development," taking place at UN Headquarters in New York from June 5-9.

 

Conserve and Sustainably Use the
Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development
Plenary Session of the Ocean Conference

On June 7, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: "Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development," taking place at UN Headquarters in New York, gave an intervention during the Conference’s plenary session.

In his statement, Cardinal Turkson spoke of the “Laudato Si’ Challenge,” which involves business, political, religious and civil society leaders and groups throughout the world and highlights the importance of environmental concerns in business, planning, law and policy. He underlined that achieving SDG 14 is in everyone’s interest. He called on everyone to examine and alter consumer lifestyles that harm the environment and to integrate ethical considerations alongside scientific approaches to environmental issues. The ethical approach involves fulfilling our responsibility to care for natural resources and for those who depend on them for daily survival. It also involves focusing not just not rights but on obligations. Such a focus on moral responsibilities would be of great benefit to the health of oceans and show solidarity with future generations.

His statement can be found here.

Managing, Protecting, Conserving,
and Restoring
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems
Partnership Dialogue 2, The Ocean Conference

On June 6, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: "Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development," taking place at UN Headquarters in New York, gave an intervention during the second Partnership Dialogue of the Conference, dedicated to “Managing, Protecting, Conserving, and Restoring Marine and Coastal Ecosystems.”

In his intervention, Cardinal Turkson said that the increase in human activities in the ocean foreseen in upcoming years challenges us to improve marine-related knowledge and research, develop better conservation strategies and improve policies, laws, regulations and behavior to keep our oceans, seas and marine resources sustainable. He spoke about the importance of integral ecology, one that focuses both on caring for our common home and the good of those who dwell within that home. A more effective and unified approach to managing, protecting, conserving and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems is needed, he said, and one such improvement would be to expand the terms of reference for UN OCEANS as the UN’s interagency mechanism of coordination.

His statement can be found here.

Minimizing and Addressing
Ocean Acidification
Partnership Dialogue 3, The Ocean Conference

On June 6, His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: "Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development," taking place at UN Headquarters in New York, participated as a panelist in the third Partnership Dialogue of the Conference, dedicated to minimizing and addressing ocean acidification, and gave an intervention.

In his statement, Cardinal Turkson expressed Pope Francis’ gratitude for the Conference and appreciation for the work being done to conserve and sustainably use our oceans and combat ocean acidification and pollution. Cardinal Turkson articulated five fundamental, interconnected principles to guide care for the environment in general and oceans in particular: the moral imperative to care for our environment; the need for an integral ecology that encompasses environmental, economic, social, cultural and day-to-day ecology, the common good and intergenerational justice; an integrated approach to finding solutions that combine the ethical and the environmental; the importance of education; and the need for dialogue and collaboration at all levels. He called us to be responsible stewards for the present and the future of the vast blue realm that is God’s gift.

His statement can be found here.

Increasing Economic Benefits
to Small Islands and
Least Developed Countries
Partnership Dialogue 5, The Ocean Conference

His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and Head of the Delegation of the Holy See to the United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: "Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development," taking place at UN Headquarters in New York, prepared an intervention for the fifth Partnership Dialogue of the Conference on June 7, dedicated to “Increasing economic benefits to small islands developing States and least developed countries and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.” Due to the time constraints, the statement of the Holy See and of many other States were not able to be delivered, but were submitted in writing.

In his intervention, Cardinal Turkson emphasized three points concerning the economic benefits from ocean-related businesses to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Development Countries (LDCs). First, these businesses should be considered micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Second, regional cooperation is key to giving them greater market clout and access to financing. Third, the human dimension, especially steady employment, must be prioritized. Economic growth within SIDS and LDCs will flow from development and business models that harness the talents of their people and that feature universal solidarity, he said.

His statement can be found here.