【Special Topic】Green Anniversary - World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on June 8 to encourage participation in actions for ocean protection and the sustainable development of marine resources.
Oceans Day was first declared as 8 June, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro at the Global Forum, inspired by an event organized on that day by the Oceans Institute of Canada and supported by the Canadian Government: “Oceans Day at Global Forum – The Blue Planet”. Since then, activities have been held to celebrate Oceans Day. However, it was not until 2008 that the UN designated June 8 as “World Oceans Day”, which was celebrated for the first time in 2009.
With 70% of the Earth's surface covered by oceans, the oceans make an invaluable contribution to global climate regulation, biodiversity, and human economic and social development. In contrast, the attention and feedback from humans to the ocean is incomparable. But the tides are changing. In March 2023, one of the most critical UN documents for ocean conservation was adopted: UN High Seas Treaty. The treaty focuses on the protection of high seas biodiversity and sustainable development. One of its major goals is to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030, which is key to achieving the global goal of 30×30 agreed at the 2022 UN biodiversity conference.
The High Seas Treaty has been under discussion since 2017, and finally adopted in 2023. Although it still takes some time before implementation, it indicates the urgency and growing concern for the ocean. The theme for 2023 World Oceans Day, " Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing," invites governments, communities, organizations, and celebrities to work together in putting a priority on the oceans, and invites the public to participate in activities to further the changing tide.
