Montenegro
Statement by H. E. Mr. Zoran Jankovic, Acting State Secretary for Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Montenegro
On the
High-level UN Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14:
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
,,Our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of SDG 14"
5-9 June 2017, New York
Honorable Co-Presidents of the Conference,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honor for me to address the inaugural Ocean Conference at the United
Nations on behalf of my country, Montenegro. The convention of this event is a historic
opportunity as clean, healthy, productive oceans are needed for the accomplishment of
2030 Agenda, and they are inextricably linked with the health of our planet.
Excellencies,
Building a better future requires better understanding of the importance of sustainable
oceans. Nowadays, the Ocean is open to more people and industries than ever and we
must act decisively and collectively to clean up our oceans and save the environment
through the implementation of SDG14. The preservation of the marine environment
and the durable consumption of resources must be central in defining national,
regional, and global sustainable development goals and commitments.
Montenegro is aware that sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism, aquaculture, the
potential sources of renewable energy are vital for implementation of SDG14 and 2030
Agenda. We are confronted by several challenges that threaten to undermine a healthy
marine ecosystem and coastal environment - challenges that endanger human
livelihood and our symbiotic relationship with the sea. Reducing anthropogenic
pressures on natural resources is the most pressing challenge that we are focused to
overcome. In that sense, we adopted National Strategy for Sustainable Development
that outlines general principles, strategic goals, and policy measures, and also
1
recognizes the preservation of natural capital as the principal mechanism for protecting
Montenegrin society and international coastlines.
In this regard, the attainment of long-term improvements of our marine environment
depends upon the integration of ocean conservation principles with sectorial policies.
Keeping in mind the obligations and responsibilities between countries to _respect this
shared resource, Montenegro has undertaken necessary actions to reduce marine
pollution through policy responses to the targets delineated in the 2030 agenda, which
should continue to inspire actions at the national and regional level.
Sustainable management of coastal zone resources and procedures for its sustainable
development must be included in economic development goals. The conservation of
coastal zone attractiveness is fundamental for the development of tourism, and is
inseparable from the responsible usage of seaside and rural resources. This is why
Montenegro will put stronger efforts to diversify the coastal zone economy with
particular attention to policies that will enable interlinkages between the fishery and
tourism industry.
Excellencies,
Montenegro will be committed to the reduction of marine pollution, the pursuit of
sustainable management, and the conservation of our maritime and coastal ecosystems.
Synergy between these issues must be guaranteed for the introduction of green and
blue economies, which are instrumental for the successful attainment of the SGD14 of
Agenda 2030.
Mr. President,
Montenegro joins other countries in calling for the Secretary-General to continue his
efforts to support the implementation of SDG14, and in this context, stresses the
importance of appointing a Special Representative of the Secretary General for Oceans,
to help galvanize efforts to support SDG14 implementation.
We must redouble our efforts to reach our goal of healthy and productive oceans.
Governments, the private sector, civil society must join forces and work together. Only
with consolidated and new and strategic partnerships we will ensure that all countries
are able to implement SDG 14. Montenegro strongly advocates the sharing of
experiences and best practices, the development of research capacity and transfer of
marine technology and expertise to ensure that we are all on the same track.
2
We welcome the Call for Action that is to be adopted as a way forward to conserve and
sustain use of the Oceans. I would like to reaffirm commitment of Montenegro to SDG
14, and we invite all nations to work together to successfully improve the health of our
oceans and achieve this pressing goal.
I thank you Mr. President.
3
Affairs of Montenegro
On the
High-level UN Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14:
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
,,Our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of SDG 14"
5-9 June 2017, New York
Honorable Co-Presidents of the Conference,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honor for me to address the inaugural Ocean Conference at the United
Nations on behalf of my country, Montenegro. The convention of this event is a historic
opportunity as clean, healthy, productive oceans are needed for the accomplishment of
2030 Agenda, and they are inextricably linked with the health of our planet.
Excellencies,
Building a better future requires better understanding of the importance of sustainable
oceans. Nowadays, the Ocean is open to more people and industries than ever and we
must act decisively and collectively to clean up our oceans and save the environment
through the implementation of SDG14. The preservation of the marine environment
and the durable consumption of resources must be central in defining national,
regional, and global sustainable development goals and commitments.
Montenegro is aware that sustainable fisheries, coastal tourism, aquaculture, the
potential sources of renewable energy are vital for implementation of SDG14 and 2030
Agenda. We are confronted by several challenges that threaten to undermine a healthy
marine ecosystem and coastal environment - challenges that endanger human
livelihood and our symbiotic relationship with the sea. Reducing anthropogenic
pressures on natural resources is the most pressing challenge that we are focused to
overcome. In that sense, we adopted National Strategy for Sustainable Development
that outlines general principles, strategic goals, and policy measures, and also
1
recognizes the preservation of natural capital as the principal mechanism for protecting
Montenegrin society and international coastlines.
In this regard, the attainment of long-term improvements of our marine environment
depends upon the integration of ocean conservation principles with sectorial policies.
Keeping in mind the obligations and responsibilities between countries to _respect this
shared resource, Montenegro has undertaken necessary actions to reduce marine
pollution through policy responses to the targets delineated in the 2030 agenda, which
should continue to inspire actions at the national and regional level.
Sustainable management of coastal zone resources and procedures for its sustainable
development must be included in economic development goals. The conservation of
coastal zone attractiveness is fundamental for the development of tourism, and is
inseparable from the responsible usage of seaside and rural resources. This is why
Montenegro will put stronger efforts to diversify the coastal zone economy with
particular attention to policies that will enable interlinkages between the fishery and
tourism industry.
Excellencies,
Montenegro will be committed to the reduction of marine pollution, the pursuit of
sustainable management, and the conservation of our maritime and coastal ecosystems.
Synergy between these issues must be guaranteed for the introduction of green and
blue economies, which are instrumental for the successful attainment of the SGD14 of
Agenda 2030.
Mr. President,
Montenegro joins other countries in calling for the Secretary-General to continue his
efforts to support the implementation of SDG14, and in this context, stresses the
importance of appointing a Special Representative of the Secretary General for Oceans,
to help galvanize efforts to support SDG14 implementation.
We must redouble our efforts to reach our goal of healthy and productive oceans.
Governments, the private sector, civil society must join forces and work together. Only
with consolidated and new and strategic partnerships we will ensure that all countries
are able to implement SDG 14. Montenegro strongly advocates the sharing of
experiences and best practices, the development of research capacity and transfer of
marine technology and expertise to ensure that we are all on the same track.
2
We welcome the Call for Action that is to be adopted as a way forward to conserve and
sustain use of the Oceans. I would like to reaffirm commitment of Montenegro to SDG
14, and we invite all nations to work together to successfully improve the health of our
oceans and achieve this pressing goal.
I thank you Mr. President.
3
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