UN Ocean Conference Side Event: Blue Economy for the Pacific Island Countries – Leadership, Capacity Development and Blue Economy Index

Venue: Lisbon

Your Excellency Surangel Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau. Congratulations to you once again on your excellent leadership in successfully hosting the 7th Our Ocean Conference in Palau in April. Palau represented many of the island nations to raise issues facing the oceans from their perspective. It is encouraging to note that Palau’s leadership has greatly enhanced its presence in the international arena.   

Palau was the first country to strongly remind the international community of the importance of coexistence with the oceans which is the cornerstone of blue economy. I think we can well say that the contribution of Palau was instrumental in establishing the current global momentum of protecting the riches and the blessings of the “Mother Ocean” that supports life on Earth, while promoting sustainable use of the oceans. The Nippon Foundation has taken seriously the silent cries of the “Mother Ocean”, and has engaged in activities to protect the oceans for more than thirty years. We will, as a private-sector organization, continue to cooperate with the efforts of Palau. 

It is however unfortunate that only a few countries and companies understand that the issues of the oceans are a “threat to human survival.” We hope that Palau will continue to play a role in guiding world leaders, the private businesses, and all the people of the world so that we can pass on the “Mother Ocean”, our shared asset and the key to human survival for a thousand years into the future. Thank you very much.

*This video message is available at The Nippon Foundation YouTube.