Standalone goal for the ocean remains uncontested in proposed UN SDGs

School of Tuna, Image by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, Photo credit: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization/ Danilo Cedrone via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-2.0

After the 12th session of the Open Working Group, the Co-chairs published a refined version of the Zero Draft on the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they announced in a letter on 30 June 2014 . A standalone goal for the ocean remains uncontested in the most recent list of 17 proposed UN SDGs (“SDG 14: Conserve and promote the sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources”).

“It is rewarding to see that the UN member states are recognising the value of the ocean to the future of humanity and have chosen to keep a dedicated SDG on ocean and seas in their recommendation.” says Martin Visbeck.

The 13th and last session of the open working groups will take place on 14-18 July 2014.