UN Head Appoints Thomson As Special Envoy For The Ocean
The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has acknowledged the appointment of Peter Thomson as the new United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean. Mr Thomson, the outgoing United Nations General Assembly president, was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday.
In an email, Mr Bainimarama said was a ‘great’ opportunity for Mr Thomson. Mr Thomson said: “As a Fijian, I’m very proud of the leadership Fiji is providing on these fundamental concerns for people and the planet.
“Climate Change issues and those of the oceans were intimately linked and I would be doing all I can to support Fiji’s COP23 presidency.”
He said the planet’s ecosystem was being stressed by the accumulating effects of human activities, thus remedial action was required.
“The Ocean Envoy role is to ensure that the outcomes of the Ocean Conference were implemented in order to achieve Sustainable development Goal (SDG14’s) targets. “From marine pollution to degraded coastal ecosystems, from declining fish stocks to ocean acidification, the ocean is in need of remedial action. The conference outcomes have given us a work plan and that’s what we’re going to implement.”
Mr Guterres said: “The position is aimed at galvanising concerted efforts to follow up on the outcomes of the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, maintaining the momentum for action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. “Mr Thomson brings a distinguished experience in diplomatic services, including as Permanent Representative of Fiji to the UN and President of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly during which he provided visionary leadership in guiding the preparation of The Ocean Conference.”