Thailand Hosts 2nd Major UN Ocean Conference and 11th International Marine Science Event, Deputy PM Phatcharavat Inaugurates

Today (April 22, 2024) at 09:00 AM, Bangkok, Thailand — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Pol. Gen. Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, officially inaugurated the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference & 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference today at The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam in Bangkok.

Pol. Gen. Phatcharavat was joined by prominent figures including Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, Director General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, and Dr. Michida Yutaka, Chair of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), among others. They are expected to outline strategies for the conservation and development of oceanic resources to benefit current and future generations, aiming for significant outcomes by the end of the decade.

Addressing the attendees, Phatcharavat emphasized the ministry's commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of oceans, aligning with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Goals for the Western Pacific region by 2030. He noted that this international conference is a crucial step forward in collectively tackling challenges through ocean science and innovation for sustainable growth, aiming to enhance marine prosperity for present and future generations. It is anticipated that this meeting will be successful, effective, and able to establish guidelines for the oversight, conservation, and development of the oceans, as well as create tangible cooperation to achieve the goals of the Decade of the Ocean.

The International Academic Conference on Marine Science, organized by IOC/WESTPAC, takes place every three to four years, with hosting duties rotating among member countries. In 2024, Thailand will jointly host the 11th International Academic Conference on Marine Science with IOC/WESTPAC. This conference supports the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, also known as "The UN Ocean Decade 2021–2030." In conjunction with this, the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Meeting will occur simultaneously from April 22-25, 2024. The conference aims to be a venue for sharing research results, and for exchanging knowledge, ideas, and experiences related to marine science and its associated fields. It seeks to encourage comprehensive cooperation among nations and across various disciplines, leveraging marine science research to promote the sustainable development and management of ocean resources.