India today assured the international community that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is committed to protecting at least 30% of "our" lands, waters, and oceans by 2030, as part of its 30X30 commitment. Dr Jitendra Singh, India's Minister for Earth Sciences, delivered the India statement at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, saying that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, all efforts are being made to achieve the 30x30 target in a mission mode as per the COP resolutions.
He stated that he is at the UN forum to present Modi's vision for ocean conservation and sustainability to the world. It should be noted that India has joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which was launched at the "One Planet Summit" in Paris in January 2021, with the goal of promoting an international agreement to protect at least 30% of the world's land and ocean by 2030.
Dr. Jitendra Singh assured the Ministers, Delegates, and Representatives from more than 130 countries attending the 5-day conference that India will also provide science and innovation-based solutions for SDG-Goal 14 implementation through partnerships and environmentally friendly solutions. Goal 14 calls for ocean, sea, and marine resource conservation and sustainable use.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, speaking on the conference's theme "Scaling up Ocean Action Based on Science and Innovation for the Implementation of Goal 14: Stocktaking, Partnerships, and Solutions," stated that India will take all possible measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal-14, which addresses some of the challenges faced by life under water. He stated that the Government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a number of initiatives, programmes, and policy interventions through various Ministries and Departments to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, mangroves, and coral reefs.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India is committed to the "Coastal Clean Seas Campaign" and that the country will soon achieve a total ban on single-use plastics. One of the best examples, he said, is the phase-out of plastic/polyethylene bags in favour of alternatives such as cotton/jute cloth bags.
The research to collect scientific data and information on Marine Litter in various matrices, such as coastal waters, sediments, biota, and beaches, has already begun, according to the Minister.
According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, India has unveiled its vision for the next decade, listing the ten most important dimensions of India's growth through 2030. He stated that the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is in the process of unveiling the "Blue Economic Policy of India." The Deep Ocean Mission is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and has six thematic areas, which include the development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services to address climate resilience, exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity, development of technologies for harnessing ocean resources, and capacity building.
Dr. Jitendra Singh informed the members that India has well-established collaboration and partnerships with UN Agencies and Research Institutions for bridging methodology and data gaps on SDG indicators and working toward the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030, for a clean, healthy, productive, predictive, safe, and accessible ocean.
The Minister also stated that India collaborates with many countries on Integrated Ocean Management and framework for marine spatial plans for sustainable development and ecosystem conservation.
He stated that it has proposed establishing the Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI) to meet the needs and aspirations of Pacific Island Countries (PIC).
Dr. Jitendra Singh thanked the conference's co-hosts, Portugal and Kenya, and praised the President of the United Nations for mobilizing support for timely actions on this important Sustainable Development Goal, just after the Covid-pandemic was averted.
