Tag swedens deputy prime minister for international development cooperation and climate isabella lovin delivers remarks at the our ocean conference at georgetown university in washington

Here are the remarks of Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate, Isabella Lovin, at the Our Ocean Conference at Georgetown University in Washington:

[Start of remarks]

Honorable guests, esteemed colleagues, and fellow ocean lovers,

I am thrilled to be here today at the Our Ocean Conference, hosted by Georgetown University, to discuss the most pressing issues facing our planet's vital resource: the ocean.

As Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate, I am committed to addressing the climate crisis and promoting sustainable development. And I am convinced that the ocean plays a crucial role in both of these efforts.

The ocean is not just a vital component of our planet's ecosystem; it is also a key driver of the global economy. It provides half of the oxygen we breathe, absorbs a quarter of the carbon dioxide we emit, and is a source of food for billions of people around the world.

However, the ocean is facing unprecedented threats. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, coral bleaching, and ocean acidification. Plastic pollution is choking our oceans, harming marine life, and contaminating the food chain. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices are depleting fish stocks and damaging ecosystems.

But I am here today to tell you that we can make a difference. We can work together to protect the ocean and promote sustainable development.

Sweden has made a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2045, and we are working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2045. We are also investing in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and green technologies.

But we cannot do it alone. We need international cooperation, collective action, and a shared commitment to protecting the ocean.

That's why Sweden is proud to be a part of the Our Ocean Conference, and we are committed to working with other countries, international organizations, and civil society to address the ocean's challenges.

We need to address the root causes of ocean pollution, including plastic waste and unsustainable fishing practices. We need to support sustainable fisheries and marine protected areas. And we need to promote climate-resilient coastal communities and sustainable tourism.

We also need to recognize the critical role that women and indigenous peoples play in ocean conservation and sustainable development. We need to empower them to take leadership roles and make decisions that benefit their communities and the ocean.

In conclusion, the ocean is a vital component of our planet's ecosystem, and it is our responsibility to protect it. We can make a difference, but we need to work together. We need to take action, and we need to do it now.

Thank you.

[End of remarks]