Life Below Water
Executive summary
SIDS are disproportionately impacted by the consequences of climate change, which include sea level rise, increased frequency of extreme weather events and ocean acidification (IPCC, 2023). As countries begin preparations for the third round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) – submitted since 2016 pursuant to obligations under the Paris Agreement – forming a complete understanding of the adverse effects of climate change on Small Island Development States (SIDS) is crucial.
Agradecimientos
En enero de 2023, en una carta dirigida a los Estados Miembros de las Naciones Unidas y a las organizaciones intergubernamentales, la Oficina de Asuntos Jurídicos señaló a su atención el párrafo 388 de la resolución 77/248 de la Asamblea General, de 30 de diciembre de 2022, relativa a los océanos y el derecho del mar, en el que se solicitaba al Secretario General que publicara una obra sobre la gestión de la información geoespacial marina. Se invitó a los Estados Miembros y a las organizaciones intergubernamentales a designar expertos que ayudaran al Secretario General a preparar la publicación.
Resumo executivo
As pescas representam um potencial significativo para vários países, em especial para os países em desenvolvimento e os menos desenvolvidos, desde a geração de receitas até às oportunidades de criação de valor acrescentado, criação de emprego, redução da pobreza, segurança alimentar e nutrição, sustentabilidade ambiental, desenvolvimento comunitário e contribuições culturais. Tal como acontece com muitas exportações agrícolas, se forem aproveitadas de forma sustentável, há ganhos dinâmicos a serem alcançados.
Latest version of nationally determined contributions by small island developing States
The table below includes the list of the NDCs analysed for this technical note, followed by the year of submission and the version number. The NDCs listed were submitted by the 39 SIDS as of the end of September 2024.
Acknowledgements
Development (UNCTAD), under the supervision and guidance of Chantal Line Carpentier. The report team was comprised of David Vivas Eugui, Federico Manto, as well as Diana Barrowclough of the UNCTAD Division on Globalization and Development Strategies, and with helpful inputs from Claudia Contreras and Malick Kane.
Introduction
The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN) done at Geneva on 26 May 2000 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) entered into force on 28 February 2008.
Executive summary
Growing levels of waste and pollution are jeopardizing our ecosystems and affecting human health globally. In 2022, UN Member States agreed on a resolution to create a legally binding agreement by 2024 to end plastic pollution, while also adopting a resolution proclaiming 30 March as the International Day of Zero Waste. With an urgent call-to-action voiced by Member States during the first High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on Zero Waste held on 30 March 2023, the international community recognized the pressing need to address the escalating crisis of poor and inadequate waste management that is affecting the health of people, ecosystems, and economies.
Acknowledgements
This report was prepared by Jeffrey Seadon, Environmental Scientist, with significant contributions from UNOSDUNDESA: Sara Castro de Hallgren, Sustainable Development Officer, Emily Carroll, Policy Development and Coordination Expert and Chaela Shin, Policy Expert, with support from Wonju Kim, Team Assistant, under the overall guidance of Chun Kyoo Park, Head of Office.
Executive summary
Fisheries provide significant potential for many countries, particularly developing and least developed countries (LDCs). These benefits range from revenue generation to opportunities for value addition, export diversification, job creation, food security, poverty reduction, community development and other important cultural contributions. As with many agricultural exports, if sustainably harnessed, there are dynamic gains to be achieved. These can be key for fostering competitiveness, meeting food quality and safety standards, as well as facilitating technological upgrading and production linkages in the fisheries sector.
Acknowledgements
This publication was prepared under the overall guidance of Paul Akiwumi, Director, UNCTAD Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes, by a team led by Mussie Delelegn (Acting Head, Productive Capacities and Sustainable Development Branch). Research was coordinated by Johanna Silvander, with comments provided by Lisa Borgatti. Benedetta Simonini provided support in formatting and the review of tables and figures.
Key issues and implications of fisheries access arrangements for global fisheries sustainability
The current trend of DWF fleet deployment in various regions in the world is likely to continue in the future, amid an increasing global fish demand. Many coastal states do not have the financial resources and technical capabilities to develop their domestic offshore fishing capacity and are likely to continue renting their EEZ fisheries to other states.
Preface
I am pleased to present the third edition of the UNODC World Wildlife Crime Report, which aims to provide a tool to assess and improve responses to this hugely damaging form of criminal activity. The present report covers trends in the illicit wildlife trade, analyses harms and impacts, probes driving factors, and takes stock of responses.
Drivers
The driving forces behind wildlife crime are a complex interplay of motivations and influences, from economic incentives to socio-cultural dynamics. This chapter attempts to shed light on the diverse drivers shaping the patterns and trends of criminality connected with wildlife trafficking. Better understanding of these factors can inform the design and refinement of remedial interventions.
Acknowledgements
The third edition of the World Wildlife Crime Report was prepared by the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), under the supervision of Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, and Angela Me, Chief of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch.
Nature for peace
The world is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis, driven largely by biodiversity loss and climate change. As humanity surpasses critical planetary boundaries, including biodiversity loss, ecosystems that are vital for life and human prosperity are under threat. Over 75% of terrestrial and 40% of marine environments are degraded, leading to drastic declines in wildlife populations, and pushing a million species toward extinction.
إتفاقية المياه تدعم التنمية الاقتصادية
لكل قطاع اقتصادي، مثل تربية الأحياء المائية؛ والزراعة المروية؛والتعدين؛ وتوليد الطاقة؛ والإنتاج الصناعي؛ والسياحة في المواقعالطبيعية؛ والنقل المائي، متطلبات محددة من المياه، من حيث الكميةوالجودة وأوقات الحاجة إلى المياه. وتحسين إدارة المياه العابرة للحدودقد يزود كل قطاع بحجم المياه اللازم، بالجودة المطلوبة، وفي التوقيتالمطلوب، فيدعم بذلك تنمية القطاعات الاقتصادية تلك.
تحديات المستقبل
لدى ا أ لطراف في اتفاقية المياه رؤية لعام 2030 مفادها أن ”المياه العابرةللحدود في جميع أنحاء العالم تدار بالتعاون بين البلدان المشاطئة من أجلتعزيز التنمية المستدامة والسلام والأمن“ 6. وتحدد استراتيجية تنفيذالاتفاقية على المستوى العالمي ) 2018 ( ا أ لهداف البعيدة ا أ لجل وا إ لطار
Conclusions and recommendations
International fisheries access agreements are very diverse, with modalities and final outcomes that vary from case to case, depending on the parties to the agreement, their political and economic relations, the fish species, the fishery and gear type, etc. The next generation of IFAAs requires a change of paradigm in their negotiation and implementation focusing on rebuilding fisheries stocks and ensuring their sustainability, in full respect of the relevant provisions of international instruments and coherence with the 2030 Agenda. Table 11 presents some key principles and actions for equitable IFAAs respecting conservation and management measures.
Introduction
Distant water fishing (DWF) vessels of several nations have for centuries travelled vast distances, roaming the ocean to harvest its fisheries. As early as 1575, vessels from France, Portugal and Great Britain were fishing for cod in the productive fishing grounds of North America (Bonfil et al., 1998). In 1609, the Dutch international lawyer Hugo Grotius published the book Mare Liberum (or The Freedom of the Seas),5 stating that the sea was free to all, whether for navigation or for fisheries.
Introduction
The world stands at a critical juncture. As we look to the future, our ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 hinges on one fundamental truth: nature is indispensable for human survival and development. Our economies, societies, and health are deeply intertwined with the ecosystems and biodiversity that sustain life on Earth. Yet these natural systems are under unprecedented threat from climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, exacerbated by persistent inequalities and growing conflict.
Nature for gender equality
The linkages between gender and nature are profound and multifaceted. Women play crucial and diverse roles managing and stewarding natural resources every day, but gender inequality means their rights, knowledge, priorities and influence are often sidelined. Gender inequality and environmental degradation and exploitation interact, often in a vicious cycle. Rights-based gender-responsive biodiversity policymaking, programming and action can be game-changers for gender equality – closing chronic gaps for improved food, livelihood and land security for women and their communities, for example. At the same time, the evidence is clear that gender equality delivers for nature, too: gender-responsive environmental interventions are not only more effective, equitable and sustainable, they are shown to deliver improved biodiversity outcomes, too.
Nature for food security
Nature-based solutions are defined as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature.” Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems (FACS) depend on nature and functioning ecosystems to be productive. Protecting and restoring nature is essential to supporting food security. Restoration through agroforestry alone has the potential to increase food security for 1.3 billion people. Restoring mangroves could add 60 trillion edible fish to coastal waters every year. As land and ecosystems that serve as the foundation for crop and livestock production are degraded, transitioning towards agroecological and regenerative food systems will be key to both securing livelihoods and advancing action on climate change and biodiversity loss.
Nature for climate action
Healthy ecosystems are essential for safeguarding a livable planet. The loss and degradation of terrestrial and ocean ecosystems through conversion, overharvesting, fires and other pressures, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and greatly diminishes the ability of humans and ecosystems to adapt to climate change. Yet the solutions to climate change exist in taking action on nature, including through nature-based solutions and ecosystembased adaptation.