Minister of Environment and Climate Mangaliso Ndhlovu has called for greater participation of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in the ocean economy.
Ndhlovu said this in Lisbon, Portugal where he is representing President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference.
The minister bemoaned the marginalisation of landlocked countries partly due to poorly developed transit and transport systems, limited resources, lack of awareness, as well as limited access to the sea.
“It is imperative that the participation of Landlocked Developing Countries in the ocean-based economies is enhanced as a matter of urgency.
“In this regard, raising awareness, financial support, capacity building, technology and information transfer should be extended to landlocked developing countries, to ensure an inclusive approach to the implementation of SDG 14 and being true to the dictates of leaving no one behind,” Ndhlovu said in his address to conference delegates.
The conference is themed ‘‘Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Sustainable Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions’’
Oceans are of key significance to Zimbabwe’s economy as the country imports and exports goods by sea, and therefore served by global goods that form a key part of the economy.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), gives landlocked States the right to access the oceans, as well as the right to participate, on an equitable basis, in the exploitation of the surplus from the living resources.
Ndhlovu emphasised that global co-operation was fundamental on maritime ocean management given that human activities have wider impacts beyond national boundaries.
“Zimbabwe is committed to fully contribute towards global efforts to conserve our ocean and our planet earth, through instituting measures to reduce plastic pollution.
“We have taken steps to ensure that waste, along the plastic life cycle, is addressed.
“Zimbabwe now has a vibrant plastic industry which contributes to recycling of plastic waste, and improved livelihoods.
“Zimbabwe has begun phasing down the usage of single-use plastics with the hope of phasing them out by the end of 2023,” he added.
The ocean has an impact on an estimated US$500 billion global economy and the livelihoods of at least 1 out of every 10 people in the world.
Ndhlovu furthermore said there were biodiversity threats in Zimbabwe such as endangered flora and fauna species.
He emphasised the role that Zimbabwe has played in promoting a conservation approach which has led to species recovery and growth and seek to trade some species as a management mechanism that applies for oceans.