G. Gerapetritis: Today's Forum is an opportunity to engage on a number of key climate and environmental challenges. This includes green transition, climate change mitigation and climate adaptation, renewables, energy efficiency, green shipping and sustainable tourism. I will emphasize on some issues.
First, the protection of the oceans is vital. Greece will host the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Greece in Athens on the 16th and 17th of April. In this regard, we seek deepening cooperation with the countries of the Indo-Pacific regarding commitments to the protection of the oceans. The conference will also focus on sustainable tourism, green shipping, the reduction of marine plastic and microplastic pollution, as well as the green transition in the Mediterranean. Further, Greece has established a roadmap with concrete quantitative targets for the country's transition to climate neutrality by 2050.
In this regard, renewable energy sources generate today over half of the electricity produced in the country from the wind and sun. Given that green transition is an engine for economic growth, job creation and sustainable development for the local communities, we have also launched a national Initiative “GR-eco Islands”. This initiative aims to transform Greek islands into models of energy autonomy, circular economy for water and waste, and ecomobility. And we are looking forward to sharing our experience with our Indo-Pacific friends.
Special emphasis is given to reducing the environmental footprint of tourism as well. Combating marine pollution is also our highest priority. We are committed to halving marine plastic litter and reducing the release of microplastics into the environment by 30% by 2030.
Greece has set the climate, peace, and security nexus as a priority for its candidacy as an elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025 - 2026. We look forward to working with all of you in the United Nations. We strongly believe that enhanced multilateral cooperation is the only way to address global challenges and increase the resilience of our natural and socioeconomic systems. In this respect, the current agreement, the Agenda 2030 and the global biodiversity framework must continue to guide our steps, leaving no one behind.
I thank you so much.
February 2, 2024