Throughout this week, you have heard all about how the ocean and its finite marine
resources are increasingly threatened and destroyed by unsustainable human
activities, reducing their ability to provide crucial ecosystem services.
For Small Island Developing states, this decline in ocean health is even more acute,
as our identity, culture and livelihoods are closely tied to the ocean. We are fully aware
of how the deterioration of coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity is
threatening human well-being, economic prosperity and the survival of our planet.
Accelerated actions across all 10 targets of SDG 14 are required to mitigate and
reduce these negative impacts, including through strengthening ocean governance,
and enhancing enabling environments. Taking into account the interconnected and
indivisible nature of the SDGs, we must take a holistic approach that reaps maximum
co-benefits across the 2030 Agenda.
For my country it is matter of matter of common sense to utilize comprehensive policies
to tackle all of these critical issues. These policies must be designed and implemented
in an integrated, cross-sectoral approach, involving all stakeholders. This is especially
critical given the limited resources and time for achieving the SDGs. In this regard,
Antigua and Barbuda has established the relevant linkages in integrating the SDGs
into our national frameworks, including the Medium-Term Development Strategy.
For example, reducing marine pollution under SDG14.1 contributes to: food security
(SDG2), improving human health (SDG3), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8)
and climate resilience (SDG13). At the same time, progress made in other SDGs such
as SDG 12 (sustainable consumption and production) and SDG 11 (urbanization in
the context of coastal areas) can advance SDG14.1.
These mutually reinforcing relationships can be better understood through collection
of comprehensive disaggregated data and regular monitoring of progress. These
relationships can be better leveraged through incorporating this data into decision
making in an effective, cross-cutting manner.
This is a high priority for Antigua and Barbuda and involves the coordination of a
committee of senior government officials across ministries and departments. These
officials meet regularly work towards collaborations that will create an enabling
environment for and government policies and actions to be able to achieve SDG 14
as well as many of the other interlinked SDGS.
Antigua and Barbuda is of the view that this collaborative approach to tackling ocean
related issues can only create better policies. Working together, policy makers can
assess synergies and trade-offs to avert unnecessary negative consequences such
as avoidable impacts on marine ecosystems stemming from economic development.
In addition, efforts to increase ocean literacy across all stakeholders can help
policymakers better understand the interlinkages between ocean health, resilience,
productivity and economic prosperity
As I speak of partnerships, we are all here gathered in Lisbon for the long-awaited 2nd
UN Ocean Conference. This convening provides opportunities, that we have not had
for the past few years due to the COVID 19 pandemic to make connections and build
relationships found in cross-sectoral collaboration at the international level.
We must take full advantage of the time that we are here together to generate
enhanced partnerships, to maximize ocean health, resilience and productivity and aim
at moving towards a sustainable ocean-based economy.
A few days ago, The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) has launched a
“Declaration for the enhancement of marine scientific knowledge, research capacity
and transfer of marine technology to SIDS.”

It sets out principles of engagement, one based on SIDS determining their needs,
shifting away from one-way initiatives and approaches and moving to best practices
to develop, implement and sustain capacity development partnerships.
These principles are not unique to just SDG 14, and can also be useful to guide more
meaningful and effective partnerships across other interlinked SDGs as well. I invite
all partners, countries, and organizations to sign on to this Declaration, acknowledge
its principles, review existing initiatives in light of these, and use it to guide future
partnerships.
Before I conclude, I want to reiterate the importance of capitalizing on the synergistic
nature of SDG14. Achieving the targets under this Goal will also advance progress
across others, through harmonizing numerous efforts and limited resources.
Experience is the best teacher, and we must learn not only from our own experiences,
but also from the experiences of others. Therefore, during today’s dialogue, I look
forward to hearing about how these synergies are being harnessed, including best
practices and lessons learned.