Princess Lalla Hasnaa, chairwoman of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environment Protection, paid tribute, on Wednesday, before the UNESCO, to the active and personal commitment of King Mohammed VI to climate and environmental issues.
Princess Lalla Hasna made the remarks during an UNESCO high-level meeting that was marked by the launch of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
“ln Morocco, I am in a good position to bear testimony to the active, personal commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who set up the Foundation which I am honored to chair and which deals with climate and environmental issues,” said Princess Lalla Hasnaa, the youngest sister of King Mohammed VI.
Thanks to the Monarch’s leadership, Morocco is today a front runner in the field of renewable energy, she said.
“As the host of the COP 22, held in Marrakech, the Kingdom lent its decisive support to several initiatives, such as the “Blue Belt” for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa,” she underlined.
The potential of the marine wealth contained in seas and oceans is largely unknown, she said, stressing that oceans are one of mankind’s true common possessions. “This wealth needs to be used in a sustainable, responsible and equitable manner.”
“For this reason, the Decade we are launching is a magnificent opportunity. It will provide the kind of high-level scientific knowledge we need to better protect our seas and the extraordinary biodiversity they contain,” she added.
“This Decade will generate global scientific solidarity, of which our continent, Africa, is in great need.”
“Therefore, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environment Protection, which I chair, is both proud and excited to join the Ocean Decade Alliance. It will take its role and responsibility in this Alliance to heart,” she said.
On a more personal level, she said she was honored to be a sponsor of this Alliance and to take part in this global endeavor for the benefit of the seas and oceans.
“Through my humble person, Morocco wishes to thank the United Nations for this initiative, to which we will actively contribute,” she underlined.
“Together with you, we will promote this Decade of knowledge for the benefit of our seas and oceans, for the present and for the sake of future generation,” Princess Lalla Hasnaa said.
Organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, this high-level event, “A Brave New Ocean”, brought together world leaders, scientists, philanthropists, heads of United Nations agencies and sports figures to discuss the great challenges and opportunities that the ocean offers to achieve the potential of the Sustainable Development Goals and the role the Ocean Decade can play in meeting these challenges.
Inaugurated by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, Prince Albert II of Monaco, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and closed by President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, this global event was marked by the launch of the Ocean Decade Alliance, a network of eminent partners of the Ocean Decade who have affirmed their commitments to the ocean for the next decade.