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Mr. I Mme. President,

over The ocean is the lifeblood of our planet and mankind. It covers water. It three-quarters of the earth and accounts for 97% of the earth's over a provides more than half of the oxygen we breathe and absorbs world's quarter of the carbon dioxide we produce. About half of the find popu~ation lives within coastal zones and some 300 million people so are their livelihoods in marine fi_sheries. If the oceans are in trouble, use we. This ~s why we agreed to include "conservation and ~ustainable of the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development" to discuss as Goal 14· of Agenda 2030 and we have ·gathered here today how to implement it.

.of As a coastal state surrounded by seas on three sides, the Republic entirety. Korea strongly supports the implementation of Goal 14· in its We have learned from our past experience of decades that conservation and of mari~e ecosystems, fighting against illegal, umeported, people in unregulated (IUU) fishing, and narrowing the capacity gaps for the LDCs and SIDS are keys to achieving Goal 14. If is because on. success sustainable development of the ocean is ~riti~ally dependent in these three areas.

substantial First, marine ecosystems around the world ar~ at risk of deterioration as oceans face growing threats from pollution, over-fishing, on fish and climate change. Second, IUU fishing puts incredible pressure gaps stock and significantly distorts global markets. Third, capacity and hinder prevent LDCs and SIDS from fully utilizing marine resources th~ir ability to address environmental degradation of the ocean. '· .·• ... , .. :·: ......

of Korea has been taking new Against this backdrop, the Republic and let me elaborate· on in these key areas in recent years measurers · them briefly.

the Republic of Korea has First, to conserve marine ecosystems, frame_work including, among others, strengthened its domestic regufatory Protected Areas throughout the designation of twenty-seven Marine them with a view to not only promoting country. We will further expand but also contributing to the economy· marine biodiversity and landscape, in the designated areas. _and welfare of local communities

the international initiatives in The Republic of Korea also chaµipions for conserving marine ecosystems creating global regulatory framework support the work of the Preparatory in high seas. In this regard, we areas beyond national marine biological diversity of Committee on this action plan set to be adopted at jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the· G20's litter. . year's Summit to combat marine

took fishing, the Republic of Korea Second, to fight against IUU punishment for IUU fishing in 2015. legislative measures to strengthen State Measures Agreement in 2016 We also became a party- to the Port later this month to the Catch Documentation Scheme and will introduce at from entering into the supply chain preemptively block IUU catches ports.

flag or port states, will take We hope that member states,_ whether fishing in a more proactive manner. necessary measures to combat IUU and port states to actions on the part of both flag Without such proactive from IUU fishing will never disappear meet their respective obligations, the oceans.

and SIDS, the Republic of the capacity gaps for LDCs Third, to narrow capacities assistance to help build their Korea is providing development sustainable fisheries: just to. the marine environment and in managing acidification, the marine environment and name a few, monitoring and managing marine biological building marine science facilities, resources.

to host the World Fisheries these initiatives and in an effort As part of a pilot project to of Korea, we also launched University .in the Republic LDCs and SIDS this year. Working students and practitioners from train bearing the fruits of this .F AO, we look forward to together with UN of Korea formal institution in the Republic project and establishing a sooner rather than later.

Mr. / Mme. President,

easily a global public good which could ocean is a prime example of Our actions. Only through without coordinated collective be overexploited can we protect among multi-stakeholders comp~ehensive partnerships our ocean against overexploitation.

for of Korea renders its full support It is for this reason that the Republic ,;- ~ . . i 1

various initiatives to promote international partnerships, including those launched by Our Oceap Conference, the Arctic Council, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. We will continue to make our own contribution to these initiatives . by sharing our experiences and best practices as well as providing constructive ideas.

To achieve Goal 14 in an effective manner, it is essential to take a balanced and holistic approach, taking into consideratiqn all dimensions; economic, social, and environmental. And, in the face of fast-grovying risks and threats to our ocean, decisive actions should be taken .without hesitation.

In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to the Co-Presidents, Vice-Presidents,. Co-Facilitators of Call for Action, Secretariat, and other organizers of this Conference for their dedicated contributions to making this event a great success.

Thank you~