UN Ocean Conference: World Needs A ‘Blue Transformation' to Achieve SDGs

The UN Ocean Conference that takes place in Lisbon, Portugal, witnessed the launch of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture flagship report on Thursday.

The report focused on ‘Blue Transformation’, a visionary strategy designed to enhance the potential of food systems under water and feed the world's growing population sustainably, and it works as a critical reference for governments, policymakers, academics, and others in the sector, according to a statement released by the UN.

In his address at the sessions of the conference’s third day, Manuel Barange, Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, noted that this was the first time that such a key report has been launched outside FAO Headquarters in Rome.

FAO representative said that the growing demand for fish and other aquatic foods is rapidly changing the whole sector, with consumption expected to increase, driven mostly by a fast-paced increase in population, changes in post-harvest practices and distribution, as well as dietary trends focusing on better health and nutrition.

"A ‘Blue Transformation’ in how we can produce, manage, trade, and consume aquatic foods, in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals," an FAO official pointed out.

Attended by global leaders and heads of state from 20 countries, the summit aims to propel much-needed, science-based innovation solutions in a bid to restore the health of the world’s oceans, UN stated earlier.