World Oceans Day

Originally declared by the United Nations in 2008, this annual observance serves as a platform to discuss the preservation of the world's beauty.

The United Nations emphasizes that the ocean is crucial to our existence, connecting, sustaining, and supporting all life forms. However, it warns that the health of the ocean is at a critical point, endangering the well-being of everything dependent on it.

The goal of the Coral Triangle Day is to position the Coral Triangle as a globally-significant ecoregion-a modern day icon of the natural world so that millions of people will learn about its importance to their everyday lives, and are empowered to take specific actions to help conserve and protect this natural treasure.

The theme of the 2022 Coral Triangle Day is, ‘Sustaining Coral Triangle Ecosystems through Blue Economy’ and this is in support with the UN’s initiative on Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

According to the United Nations, the day intends to raise awareness about the impact of human activities on the oceans and to create a united movement for the species of the ocean.

This year’s theme is “World Ocean Day is Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean”.

The United Nations data suggests that the ocean produces at least 50 percent of the oxygen and it has been described as the “lifeline of planet Earth”.

The oceans also absorb more than 30 percent of carbon dioxide, mitigating the effects of global warming.

The program is supported by PNG Coral Triangle Initiative National Coordinating Committee.

Partners include USAID, UPNG, Pacific Adventist University, Prime Minister's Department and NEC, World Wide Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Coral Sea Foundation, Sea Women of Melanesia, USAID Lukautim Graun project, Hiri Coral  and members of Locally Managed Marine Resources.

The two day celebration started today with a seminar.

“For the sake of our most vulnerable island nations and the oceans on which they depend, the COP21 agreement must limit global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius,” said Dame Meg Taylor, Pacific Ocean Commissioner.

“The ocean, climate and weather are all linked. The impacts of climate change on our ocean are already being felt by many of us.”

 “Sea level rise, storm surges, ocean acidification, coral bleaching and cyclones are increasing in intensity and frequency,” the Pacific Ocean Commissioner said.