The global community is universally united on the need to enhance urgent action to protect life in the ocean, marine and coastal biological biodiversity that is critical for the survival of people and planet. New research has also shown that the health of the ocean is directly linked to the health of humans everywhere.
During the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity (COP16) summit in Cali, Colombia in October 2024, it was disclosed that there are only six years left to deliver the biodiversity target nations set to protect the ocean. The summit called for much higher ambitions by governments to achieve this goal.
Scientists say the world needs to establish at least 190,000 small marine protected areas (MPAs) in coastal regions alone and an additional 300 large MPAs in remote offshore areas globally by 2030 to meet the target set in an international agreement.
