During the UN Climate Action Summit, 21-23 September 2019, in New York, IAPH MD Patrick Verhoeven also participated in the launch of the Sustainable Ocean Principles of the UN Global Compact. These aim at determining how ocean industries can advance progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ensuring a healthy ocean provides significant opportunities for business and global economic growth. As described in Goal 14 on Life Below Water, there is an urgent need to protect and restore the health of the ocean, which is rapidly deteriorating due to increasing temperatures, acidification, depletion of natural resources and pollution from land and sea. Businesses have a shared responsibility, alongside government and civil society, to take necessary actions to secure a healthy ocean. These Sustainable Ocean Principles provide a framework for responsible business practices across sectors and geographies.The work of the platform builds upon the ten principles of the UN Global Compact, which outline business responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption
The Sustainable Ocean Principles can be consulted on the UN Global Compact website.
