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UN Ocean Conference

The Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, comes at a critical time as the world is seeking to address many of the deep-rooted problems of our societies laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and which will require major structural transformations and common shared solutions that are anchored in the SDGs. To mobilize action, the Conference will seek to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action.

For all available information on Ocean Conference events taking place both in-person in Lisbon, Portugal, and virtually, visit the official website: un.org/en/conferences/ocean2022/about

Pre-registration for eligible NGOs, civil society, and stakeholder organizations to participate in the 2022 UN Ocean Conference is now open. Deadline is 16 May 2022!

Pre-register here: un.org/en/conferences/ocean2022/participate

About the 2022 UN Ocean Conference

The ocean covers 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, is the planet’s largest biosphere, and is home to up to 80 percent of all life in the world. It generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions and captures 90 percent of the additional heat generated from those emissions. It is not just ‘the lungs of the planet’ but also its largest carbon sink – a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change.

It nurtures unimaginable biodiversity and produces food, jobs, mineral and energy resources needed for life on the planet to survive and thrive. There is a great deal we still do not know about the ocean but there are many reasons why we need to manage it sustainably – as set out in the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

The science is clear – the ocean is facing unprecedented threats as a result of human activities. Its health and ability to sustain life will only get worse as the world population grows and human activities increase. If we want to address some of the most defining issues of our time such as climate change, food insecurity, diseases and pandemics, diminishing biodiversity, economic inequality and even conflicts and strife, we must act now to protect the state of our ocean.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit congocsd.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. 

[Virtual Panel Discussion} Skills for a Resilient Youth in the Era of COVID-19 & Beyond

World Youth Skills Day 2020 [virtual panel discussion]

Owing to the COVID-19 situation, the celebrations of the World Youth Skills Day 2020 will have a virtual format. A panel discussion will bring together multiple stakeholders in skills development including young people, member States, TVET institutions, the private sector, 4 workers’ organizations, policy makers and development partners. An online discussion with the audience will follow.

RSVP: cutt.ly/WYSD2020

The World Youth Skills Days is co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka to the United Nations, together with UNESCO, ILO and the Office of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth.

The objectives of the World Youth Skills Day 2020 are to:

● Assess the situation of young people regarding skills required for work during and after the health and socio-economic crises brought by the COVID-19 pandemic;

● Learn how young people have been living through the crisis and mobilized; and highlight success stories of youth innovation and resilience;

● Share lessons learnt by TVET institutions and firms since the beginning of the crisis; this will include best practices in protecting apprentices, trainees and trainers and ensuring the continuity of training, and preparedness for further outbreaks of COVID-19 or other new diseases;

● Share experience in distance training, including no-tech, low-tech and high-tech solutions (use of mobile phone, TV, radio, offline and online devices, disruptive technologies such as using artificial intelligence, block chain technologies, big data analytics, drones, 3D printing, fab labs, smart agriculture, smart manufacturing, fintech, internet, etc.), and reflect on the use of distance training after the pandemic is over;

● Review prospects for skills development including apprenticeships as the economic crisis unfolds, and on the effectiveness of national recovery plans and support from development partners;

● Reflect on how skills development can help reconcile the short-term need for economic recovery with the urgent need for accelerating the transition to sustainable development;

● Launch the ILO Toolkit for Quality Apprenticeships Volume II for practitioners to improve the design and implementation of apprenticeship programmes; and

● Announce the winner of the ILO Innovation Skills Challenge Innovation Call, a global competition to identify innovative approaches to address skills mismatch.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing – Geneva, visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing – NY, visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing – Vienna, visit ngoageingvie.org. For information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, email the Chair, Rosa Perla Resnick at  rositaresnick@yahoo.com or the Vice Chair, Susanne Seperson at susanneseperson@gmail.com.

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