Geneviève Pons: “The actions we take now are critical in saving our planet”
The IUCN World Conservation Congress, held from 3rd – 11th September, is an opportunity for governments, organizations, and civil society to debate and make decisions related to major conservation issues.
Director General and Vice-president of Europe Jacques Delors, Geneviève Pons participated in the event “The Ocean Decade: Co-Designing Knowledge for Global Marine Biodiversity Recovery” which was held as part of the Congress. “Close to 100 countries have answered positively to the 30x30 initiative, a call to action to safeguard at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030 through networks of MPAs. More need to join now to help build ocean resilience and fight the climate crisis.”
“The actions we take now are critical in saving our planet. Protecting Antarctica’s waters this year will be a key step in this planetary rescue plan, providing a refuge for marine life from other pressures such as fishing as they try to adapt to a fast-changing climate”, said Geneviève Pons.
During the boat trip organized in the context of the Congress that took place in the beautiful but fragile Calanques ecosystem, Antarctica2020 Champion Geneviève Pons handed a petition over to President Emmanuel Macron on behalf of 1.5 million people that called for the protection of Antarctica and designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean.
Pascal Lamy, Vice-President of Europe Jacques Delors and Antarctica2020 Champion, shared with Ursula von der Leyen Europe Jacques Delors’ commitments regarding ocean and hydrosphere protection, and also handed her the petition calling for Antarctic protection.
During the IUCN Congress in Marseille, Pascal Lamy and Geneviève Pons also had the opportunity to share Mission Starfish 2030’s main messages with French President Emmanuel Macron; European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans; President of the European Council, Charles Michel; and French Minister for the Sea, Annick Girardin. Advancing EU leadership on global ocean governance is one of the key objectives of Mission Starfish 2030 – the EU Mission to restore our ocean and waters.
