As the Second Global Ocean Conference opens today in Lisbon, governments in Asia and the Pacific must seize the opportunity to enhance cooperation and solidarity to address a host of challenges that endanger what is a lifeline for millions of people in the region. If done right, ocean action will also be climate action but this will require working in concert on a few fronts. First, we must invest in and support science and technology to produce key solutions. Strengthening science-policy interfaces to bridge practitioners and policymakers contributes to a sound understanding of ocean-climate synergies, thereby enabling better policy design, an important priority of the Indonesian Presidency of the G20 process. Additionally, policy support tools can assist governments in identifying and prioritizing actions through policy and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) tracking and scenario development.

Alisjahbana, A. S. (2022, June 27). Healthy planet needs 'ocean action' from Asian and Pacific countries. Business World, p. S1/7.