With the establishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the Human Development Forum launched a series of publications entitled A Better World, each volume dedicated to one of the 17 SDGs. This volume, published in June 2020, covers Goal 14 — Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. It is our belief that enhancing the contribution of marine biodiversity is hugely beneficial to the world in general, and to the future of small island developing states and least developed countries in particular. With the health of the oceans in jeopardy, and the ramifications understood in relation to sustainable human activity in general, it is crucial that the objectives of Goal 14 are swiftly realized. The Goal’s targets include the significant reduction of marine pollution, sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems, minimizing the impacts of ocean acidification, and regulating overfishing. It is the aim of this publication to celebrate the increase in scientific knowledge, research capacity and marine technology that are contributing to the global efforts to meet those targets. By focusing on the experiences and livelihoods of people, especially those in vulnerable human habitats, the book shows the benefits of best policy and practices, and how these may develop further as we come to terms with a changing and more turbulent world. This innovative endeavour is a striking example of sharing respective resources to engage the many official governmental, international organizations, institutions and professional interests in displaying the extent and variety of their efforts to make the world a better place.
