Focus on Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal number 14 by the year 2030
NEW YORK, February 23, 2017 – FEZANA is sending a delegation to the Oceans Conference: Our Oceans, Our Future: Partnering for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 at the UN Headquarters in New
York, USA from June 5-9, 2017. https://oceanconference.un.org/
The international forum shall include representatives from over 130 countries, more than 30 Non-Governmental Organizations and Scientific/Regional organizations actively pursuing research and eco-conservation activities to improve the health and future viability of our oceans.
At a preparatory meeting held at UN headquarters on Feb 15-16, 2017, FEZANA was represented by Rustom Bhopti. A “Call For Action” to be presented at the Oceans Conference in June 2017 was developed.
Key observations noted by several affected country delegates, included the following:
Oceans are warming & acidifying; Corals are dying; Over-Fishing is affecting our future marine food supply; Human garbage is polluting our oceans; Managing Micro & Macro Plastics is a challenge; by 2050, there will be as much Plastics, as Fishes in our Oceans; Eco system of the Oceans do not respect Geo-Political boundaries. Close to 80 percent of pollution of the oceans comes from human activities on land.
A delegate from the Maldives, speaking on behalf of SIS (Small Island States), noted their concern with “rising sea levels” that is submerging a sizable land mass of their tiny island countries. A delegate from Bangladesh, speaking on behalf of LDC (Least Developed Countries), assured their support for all 10 Targets of UN SDG-14. Most country delegates supported the statement from the “Group of 77 with China”. The Group of 77 (G-77) was established on 15 June 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries. The European Union paper on the “Blue Economy” that states a need for a Holistic approach to Oceans Management was cited.
Rustom Bhopti’s proposal titled, “Practice What You Pray” was presented at the preparatory meeting and was accepted. Please connect with him as he begins an effort in collating a short prayer, with its English translation, from each major Religion, addressing eco conservation of natural resources, with an emphasis on Water/Oceans.
About United Nations
The United Nations is central to global efforts to solve problems that challenge humanity. Cooperating in this effort are more than 30 affiliated organizations, known together as the UN sytem. For more information visit www.un.org
About Zoroastrians
Zoroastrians have long served as effective bridge builders in interfaith dialogue as they see from their own faith, traditions of truth, righteousness, charity, beneficence and respect for creation reflected in traditions of the religions of both the occident and the orient. Zoroastrianism, founded circa 1500 BCE, is credited to be one of the oldest monotheistic religion, influencing post-exilic Judaism, which adopted some Zoroastrian beliefs such as the ultimate victory of good over evil and the resurrection of souls. These percepts were then transmitted through Judaism to Christianity, and later to Islam. Zoroastrianism flourished as the imperial religion of three Persian empires, those of the Achaemenians, Parthians and Sasanians, and was the dominant religion from Turkey, and eastward to China during those times. North America’s Zoroastrian community includes those who arrived from the Indian subcontinent, known as Parsis, and those who came directly from Iran seeking religious freedom.
About FEZANA
Founded in 1987, FEZANA serves as the coordinating body for 25 Zoroastrian associations throughout the United States and Canada. FEZANA promotes the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith in North America., represents the interests of its member associations, and carries out philanthropic and charitable activities worldwide. The FEZANA Journal, FEZANA’s publication of record, circulates to Zoroastrian households in more than 22 countries, as well as to scholars, academicians and religious organizations worldwide. For more information visit: www.fezana.org.
Contacts: Afreed Mistry, FEZANA Main Representative to UN, afreed.mistry@gmail.com, Mobile: +1-416-302-9754
Rustom Bhopti, FEZANA UN NGO Committee, bhopti@gmail.com, Mobile: +1-609-540-9837
