On 8 June 2017 HSH Prince Albert of Monaco II was the first to sign The Ocean Pledge launched by youth from UNESCO World Heritage Marine sites at the United Nations. He was joined by, Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO as well as Adrian Grenier United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Environment.
The pledge, which reads ‘I pledge to protect the ocean for future generations’ was also signed by a representative from the government of Australia among other dignitaries.
Children from more than 10 UNESCO marine World Heritage sites including Papahānaumokuākea (USA), Lord Howe Island Group (Australia) and Aldabra Atoll (Seychelles), presented the pledge on stage inside the General Assembly Hall and called upon world leaders to sign their commitment. People from across the globe are invited to sign the pledge digitally on the website of UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme,
The children travelled from some of the remotest places on Earth to highlight the global nature of the threats posed to the ocean, and the need for collective action. Decisions made today will have a ripple effect for generations to come. Each child lives in a UNESCO marine World Heritage site, an area recognized for its Outstanding Universal Value, and protected for humanity under the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The international community has committed to care for our natural wonders. Like the rest of the world’s ocean, World Heritage marine sites are suffering from the impact of climate change, including warming waters, more powerful storms, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification.
Video pledges have been posted from across the planet including sites such as the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the Wadden Sea in Netherlands/Germany/Denmark, The Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati to name a few.
“The world’s ocean is at a tipping point,” said Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO.”
“Climate change is already affecting several World Heritage marine sites, and no place on earth is immune to this global threat. But there is hope and we still have a chance to save our ocean treasures, if we act now and work together. Future generations will inherit the consequences of our actions – or inaction.”
This initiative is made possible by the generous support of the Government of Flanders, the Explorers Club, Stefan & Irina Hearst and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation.
For more information and to sign the pledge visit: UNESCO #myoceanpledge.
– This feature is courtesy of UNESCO #myoceanpledge
The BeZine 
I first want to say that I think this is wonderful, I really do. But I have to temper my enthusiasm with the reality of whether these pledges will mean anything. As an example, there are two multi-billion dollar coal mines underway (the Adani and Carmichael mines) which will finish wrecking/destroying the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Despite scientists’ warnings and the pleas of several environmental groups about the disastrous effects they will have on the reef, the Australian government has green-lighted these mines. It’s all about the money, and until governments get serious about protecting the UNESCO sites, pledges are just words. 😦 I don’t mean to be a negative nelly and I hope that these pledges will carry enough weight to succeed in their intentions.
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I hope so too. We can only do what we can do and hope for the best.I’m sure they got the kids involved to help draw attention and maybe remind the powers that there are others to think about. I actually have litter hope but we soldier on …. These fat cats are delusional. They think the damage isn’t going to get them, but they have to drink the same water and breath same air as we do Thanks for your thoughtful comment . / J.D.
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