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Maritime disputes, artificial-island building threaten world's oceans—Locsin

Philippines | National

Maritime disputes, artificial-island building threaten world's oceans—Locsin

By Betheena Unite

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has voiced out that regional maritime disputes, including artificial-island building and drilling activities at sea, are among the threats the world's oceans are facing.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (Screengrab from DFA YouTube Channel)

Some of the maritime issues that the Philippines is concerned about were brought up by Locsin during the celebration of World Oceans Day 2022 as also among the threats that impact the world's oceans.

One of the most prominent matters raised is the regional maritime dispute against China in the South China Sea.

"Regional disputes also impact the world’s oceans, with artificial island-building and drilling activities devastating coral reefs and pushing marine ecosystems over the brink," he said Wednesday, June 8.

The outgoing Foreign Affairs secretary said that at present, the world is "witnessing unprecedented, barely understood threats to the oceans" such as climate change and global warming, "overfishing by the rich and greedy", microplastics and mismanaged coastal development.

He reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources and to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"Our response to this call for collective action is clear... we must stop the scourge of marine plastic pollution, protect marine biodiversity especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction reaffirm our respect and common commitment to UNCLOS," Locsin said.

World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on June 8. This year's celebration is dubbed "Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean."

Related Tags

60822 WORLD OCEANS DAY 2022 maritime dispute South China Sea SECRETARY TEODORO LOCSIN JR

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