In the run-up to World Ocean Day today, the United Nations Ocean Conference opened earlier this week with calls for united global action to reverse human damage. At the opening Monday of the international conference on the health of the world's ocean and seas, top UN officials urged governments to exercise strong political leadership and new partnerships based on existing legal framework, and take concrete steps such as expanding marine protected areas and reducing plastic waste pollution. Speaking at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned governments that unless they overcome short-term territorial and resource interests, the state of the oceans will continue to deteriorate.

Lee-Brago, P. (2017, June 8). Ocean conference calls for action to reverse human damage. Philippine Star, p. B4