Online Workshop on Marine Litter Management of 21st-Century Maritime 

Cooperation Committee was held online.

For further participation in global marine governance and promotion of marine collaboration among members of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, the 3-day Online Workshop on Marine Litter Management, co-hosted by 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and World Association of Major Metropolises, commenced on the afternoon of August 25th via video link. This workshop attracted more than 60 participants and experts from 30 cities and organizations of 15 countries, such as Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Nepal, Kenya, Sri Lanka and so on. Around the theme of marine litter pollution and its treatment for creation of clean blue oceans, the event will include six lectures and one panel discussion, providing a platform of in-depth exchanges for participating members.

Mr. Octavi de la Varga, Sacretary General of World Association of Major Metropolises, 

addressed the audience.

Mr. Octavi de la Varga, Sacretary General of World Association of Major Metropolises, said, “Floating garbage is a problem for the economy and the environment, especially for the survival of the humanity. It’s important, when we are tackling the issue of floating garbage, to have holistic approaches. This workshop today will help us start discussion in finding solutions, in connecting the dots, and in having this holistic approach that I’m calling for.”

Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, President of UCLG ASPAC, addressed the audience.

“To address this problem will require global, regional and national platforms of action including implementation of projects and activities, so we all have to make strong move out in order to minimize or troubleshoot this problem”, said Mr. Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, President of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) and Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality, Nepal.

Mr. Sun Zhimei, Deputy Sacretary General of Ningde Municipal People’s Government and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Ningde Municipal People’s Government, delivered a speech.

Mr. Sun Zhimei, Deputy Sacretary General of Ningde Municipal People’s Government and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Ningde Municipal People’s Government, noted, “I hope that through this workshop we can enhance exchanges and cooperation in marine litter management, learning from one another and jointly protecting marine ecology.”

Prof. Chen Jianming, President of Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, delivered a speech.

Prof. Chen Jianming, President of Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, added, “Marine litter management is a worldwide problem. Enormous amounts of marine litter have posed a serious threat to marine environment, biodiversity, and navigation. I hope our cooperation can contribute better measures to marine litter management.”

Prof. Fang Qinhua, Deputy Director of Coastal and Ocean Management Institute(COMI), 

Xiamen University, gave a speech.

Prof. Fang Qinhua, Deputy Director of Coastal and Ocean Management Institute(COMI), Xiamen University, pointed out, “This workshop provides an opportunity of exchanging insights, exploring countermeasures of marine litter, and building consensus among participating members. I believe this workshop will contribute not only to addressing the global issue of marine litter management, but to establishing a platform of effective global ocean governance as well.”

Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, gave an address.

In her address, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, commended 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee on its excellent work and its consistency in implementing the capacity building on marine litter management. In expression of her expectations, the Secretary General said, “I’m confident that the Committee can take an active role in exploring further opportunities within the scope of sustainable coastal urbanization, blue and green economy, and marine litter management. I expect this online workshop will find concrete solutions on the marine ecological conservation and disaster risks reduction, forming the solid collaboration of the key actors based on the Penta-helix cooperation principles.”

Mr. Wu Xiaojie, Executive Deputy Secretary General of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government, delivered the address.

Mr. Wu Xiaojie, Executive Deputy Secretary General of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government, said, “We hope that this workshop can further build consensus, and increase all the society’s sense of duty for constantly protecting marine ecology and treating marine pollution. We must promote the marine protection actions among committee members, improve the capacity to treat marine litter, and strengthen joint prevention and control of marine litter pollution, so that we can safeguard our beautiful coastlines and oceans.”