UN OCEAN CONFERENCE Launch of SOFIA 2022 Opening Statement
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
29/06/2022
UN OCEAN CONFERENCE
Launch of SOFIA 2022
Opening Statement
By
Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
As prepared
Lisbon, Portugal
29 June 2022
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Welcome to the launch of the 2022 edition of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) flagship publication The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA).
2. First, I wish to thank the Governments of Portugal and Kenya, our Conference co-hosts, for working with the UN in bringing together so many key players and ocean champions.
3. FAO is grateful for this unique opportunity to present the world’s leading report on fisheries and aquaculture during such an important event.
4. As our world continues to face complex challenges – from climate to conflicts, from the pandemic to soaring food and fuel prices, from environmental degradation to a growing population - we are further away than ever before from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
5. And the world’s poorest are hit hardest, increasing the number of hungry people, jeopardizing livelihoods, and widening inequalities.
6. We urgently need to transform our agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable,
7. To achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all - leaving no one behind.
8. In this context, the focus of this edition of SOFIA is on Blue Transformation.
9. A visionary strategy to enhance aquatic food systems and expand their potential to feed the world in a sustainable manner, build resilience and improve livelihoods.
10. Blue Transformation highlights how sustainable aquatic food systems are a powerful solution to meet the twin challenges of food security and environmental sustainability.
11. The fisheries and aquaculture sector plays an increasingly important role in providing food, nutrition and jobs.
12. Production hit a record high at 214 million tonnes in 2020, of which 122.6 million from aquaculture, generating about 151 million US dollars in international trade.
13. We are eating more aquatic foods than ever – doubling consumption in the last 50 years from 9.9 kilos per person in 1960 to over 20 kilos in 2020.
14. A trend set to continue with a projected rise of 15% by 2030.
15. SOFIA shows us that much of this growth is from aquaculture, which has great potential to feed the world’s growing population.
16. But it has to be done sustainably - this is critical.
17. Our valuable aquatic resources must be managed and used responsibly and sustainably, guided by the best science available.
18. We must prioritize and better integrate aquatic foods in regional and national food system strategies and policies.
19. And we must implement effective management that recovers stocks, restores degraded ecosystems and distribute benefits equitably.
Dear Colleagues,
20. SOFIA 2022 sets out technical insight, quantitative evidence and projections for fisheries and aquaculture,
21. And highlights urgent actions and opportunities needed to:
• One: achieve sustainable and efficient aquatic food systems that meet social, economic and environmental expectations;
• Two: integrate sustainably harvested aquatic foods into policies; and
• Three: contribute to restore aquatic habitats and biodiversity.
22. We have less than 8 years to achieve SDG14, and the 2030 Agenda.
23. The key information contained in global publications such as SOFIA, creates a common understanding of the status, needs and opportunities of the current global challenges.
24. It helps us to better leverage our expertise, tools and practices to help countries build resilient communities with better nutritional outcomes, healthy diets and secure livelihoods.
25. FAO is committed to transform aquatic food systems and build a sustainable “Blue” future.
26. To achieve this, we must continue to working together in an efficient, effective and coherent manner.
27. Thank you.