Remarks by Ambassador Dr. Elliston Rahming At The World Ocean Day Event at the United Nations

Left to Right: H.E. Ms. Silvia Velo, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of Land and Sea of Italy, H.E. Mr. Sebastiano Cardi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, H.E. Dr. Elliston Rahming, Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Macharia Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations

8 June, 2017, New York: The Bahamas Permanent Mission to the United Nations, along with the Permanent Missions of Italy, Kenya, Palau and Poland, and the Ocean Sanctuary Alliance (OSA), hosted a side event on the 10×20 Initiative in the margins of the United Nations Oceans Conference. This Initiative seeks to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in 10% of the world’s oceans by 2020.

H.E. Dr. Elliston Rahming, in his capacity as Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations, delivered remarks on the special occasion:

Remarks by Ambassador Dr. Elliston Rahming At The World Ocean Day Event at the United Nations June 8th, 2017

Welcome distinguished delegates, guests and friends and thank you for coming. I would like at the outset to thank the governments of Italy, Kenya, Palau, Poland, as well as Ocean Sanctuary Alliance, the Global Partnerships Forum and many others for facilitating this important meeting.

In particular, we wish to commend Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi our most esteemed Chair for his leadership and support of the Ocean Sanctuary Alliance.

As you are aware, we are today commemorating World Ocean Day, which is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future.

It is estimated that there are 14,688 marine protected areas (MPAs) in 178 countries. MPA’s could be used as a binding force that brings countries together. This would be the golden thread that helps to cement global partnerships.

The Bahamas is pleased to participate in this event, as one of the 178 countries with marine sanctuaries and many MPA’s created for the protection of the marine environment. We believe that sanctuary issues are of critical importance to the Caribbean region and indeed the world.

There is now on the horizon a new and intriguing proposal that has to do with the chance to protect the world’s third longest barrier reef, known as the Andros Barrier Reef located in The Bahamas which contains about 14.5% of the world’s coral. At present, there are eight established marine parks within The Bahama Islands. However, only the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is classified as a no-take zone. This means that the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is protected for ecosystem preservation and recreation. I am supportive of OSA’s intention to put a case to the Government of The Bahamas for the designation of the Andros reef as a no-take zone.

The Bahamas continues to move in the right direction, with the expansion of the current marine parks, the creation of new reserves and the zoning of ecologically sensitive areas that continue to help The Bahamas retain its unique, revered habitats and species as well as ensuring the sustainability of its various marine resources.

Ocean protection requires a global approach. I therefore look forward to a lively discussion on this most important topic and I note that efforts will continue in the Caribbean, and around the globle to meet the commitments of each region by creating marine protected areas and sanctuaries. It is our hope that you will lend your support to achieve sustainability through sanctuaries.

Thank you.