The 5th Ocean Decade Conference strengthened the link between scientific knowledge, decision-making and the Blue Economy.
On the 23rd and 24th of July, the island of Boa Vista hosted the Vth International Conference of the Ocean Decade, under the motto of “Blue Economy: Sustainable Paths”. At the opening, the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Cabo Verde, Jean-Marie Frentz, spoke alongside the Presidents of Cabo Verde and Portugal, José Maria Neves and António José Seguro, and the Mayor of Boa Vista, Cláudio Mendonça.
In his speech, the Ambassador highlighted the impacts of climate change and marine pollution, reaffirming the commitment of the Luxembourgish Cooperation to inclusive, knowledge-based climate action aimed at strengthening the resilience of communities.
V Ocean Decade Conference
In the scientific program, the Institute of the Sea presented the Bioindicators project, supported by the Climate Action Program, with an overall budget of 560,780 euros. The study analyzes corals, seagrass meadows and rhodoliths as indicators of the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems and quantifies the blue carbon stored in these habitats and sediments. In addition, 500,000 euros were made available to IMar for the recovery after tropical storm Erin.
In numbers
overall budget of the Bioindicators project and post-Erin recovery
The production of cartography, databases and technical recommendations reinforces the design of evidence-informed public policies for marine conservation, climate adaptation and a sustainable Blue Economy. Knowing these ecosystems is essential to protect marine resources and value their contribution as carbon sinks.
DECISION-MAKING AND POLICY DESIGN BASED ON SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
The production of cartography, databases and technical recommendations reinforces the design of evidence-informed public policies for marine conservation, climate adaptation and a sustainable Blue Economy. Knowing these ecosystems is essential to protecting marine resources and value their contribution as carbon sinks.
The Ocean Conference had its curtain drop on Santa Monica beach, with the symbolic act of throwing turtles into the sea, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves, the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, the Ambassador of Luxembourg, Jean-Marie Frentz and the Minister of Environment, Climate Action and Energy, Carlos Alberto Ramos Varela.
Inês Mourão