The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) will be held in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June. The conference will focus on the theme of “Accelerating action and mobilising all stakeholders to conserve and sustainably use the oceans”.
A Rocha International will be represented at the conference by Robert Sluka, the scientist in charge of the A Rocha family’s Oceans and Marine Conservation programme. He works at the interface between theological reflection and fieldwork. His research focuses on the conservation of marine biodiversity, plastic pollution and fishing, in particular marine protected areas.
Robert (Bob) Sluka answered a few questions for us about the conference and A Rocha’s participation.
Why is it important for A Rocha to take part in UNOC 3?
Bob Sluka (BS): The UN Oceans Conference is part of a global commitment by governments, NGOs and others to the oceans-focused Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Goal 14. This is the third conference of its kind to review progress towards the goals and targets set for 2030. Goal 14 states: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. A Rocha is committed to working towards the implementation of the SDGs, particularly those related to biodiversity and climate, but much of our work also integrates other SDGs. The conference will bring together stakeholders and allow A Rocha to network with others committed to protecting the oceans. We remain the only global Christian NGO with an intentional commitment and programme focused on the 71% of the planet’s surface that is ocean. We will be able to learn from others and the decisions taken at the conference will help determine potential future projects and the direction of our conservation work.
What will A Rocha's message be for ocean conservation?
BS: Our message at the conference will be both internal and external. We want to continue to encourage everyone to implement hopeful solutions to ocean conservation issues, using examples from our own work, such as the value of marine protected areas, to illustrate conservation successes. We also want to continue to remind the world that the Church is part of the solution and promote the ‘blueing’ of the Church, integrating ocean conservation into the theology and practice of the Church.
Internally, we continue to have very few scientists specialising in marine conservation and not enough ocean-related projects. We want to continue to communicate opportunities, problems and potential conservation projects to all the member organisations of the A Rocha ‘family’ [i.e. the 24 national A Rocha organisations, including A Rocha France, spread around the world on five continents]. This is particularly linked to a number of the targets in SDG 14, such as reducing overfishing and coastal eutrophication.
What are your expectations for this conference?
BS: The aim of this participation is to represent the A Rocha family at this meeting of international importance. The hope is to network with other groups working in countries with national A Rocha organisations, to develop partnerships that can facilitate and extend our work globally, and to develop new funding opportunities. In addition, we are seeking to learn about progress on goals, opportunities for contribution and to better understand marine conservation around the world.
To find out more about Robert Sluka’s work, watch the video presentation.
You can also read the IUCN’s call for greater protection of the oceans. A Rocha France is a member of IUCN France and a signatory to this appeal.
Finally, along with other Christian organisations, A Rocha France has also signed an article to be published in La Croix newspaper on Monday 9 June calling for greater attention to be paid to protecting the oceans.
