Seychelles called for strengthening financing mechanisms for the protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas, emphasising the need to ensure small island developing states have sufficient resources to implement the international agreement on ocean conservation.
This call was launched by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Barry Faure, during a round table devoted to the governance and protection of the high seas, organized as part of the 9th edition of the Paris Peace Forum, held on November 10 and 11 in the French capital.
The Seychelles official stressed that funding for the implementation of the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) must be adequate, accessible and predictable, to enable developing countries to fully participate in the protection of marine ecosystems.
In particular, he emphasised the need to finance the entire process, from scientific research to data collection, capacity building, environmental impact assessments, technology transfer and monitoring of conservation efforts.
Barry Faure also highlighted regional cooperation and the sharing of scientific skills in the Western Indian Ocean, believing that these mechanisms would allow countries to better pool their limited
resources.
The minister also called for strengthening partnerships with development institutions, philanthropic organizations and the private sector in order to mobilize additional resources.
He cautioned, however, that innovative financing mechanisms and private contributions should not replace developed countries’ commitments to new, additional and predictable public financing.
The participation of Seychelles in this international meeting reflects its desire to promote collective governance of the oceans, in a context where the protection of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions requires increased cooperation and sustainable financial means.
TE/Sf/fss/as/APA