The UN deputy secretary-general, Jan Eliasson, said here that healthy oceans are critical to maintaining life on the planet, stressing their connection to broader sustainable development aims. Addressing the opening of the 40th annual Conference of the Center for Oceans Law and Policy, Eliasson said that oceans are fundamental to meeting many of the world's most pressing challenges, such as fighting hunger, providing clean energy and countering climate change.

Top UN official underlines importance of healthy oceans. (2016, June 30). Manila Bulletin, p. B8.