At a time when our country’s ecosystems and natural resources face grave challenges that threaten their sustainability, the Syrian Future Movement joins the international community in celebrating World Oceans Day, affirming that protecting the marine environment is a fundamental pillar of Syrian food and economic security, and an integral part of protecting national sovereignty over water resources.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the strategic importance of World Oceans Day, officially adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 63/111, to raise awareness of the vital role of seas and oceans as a vital artery for trade, a primary source of oxygen and food, and a regulator of the global climate.
The Syrian Future Movement bases its findings on international environmental reports issued by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which warn that pollution of the Mediterranean Sea with plastic waste and industrial byproducts has reached record levels, threatening fish stocks with a decline exceeding 30% in some parts of the eastern basin, negatively impacting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The Syrian Future Movement presents a realistic vision that takes into account the circumstances of the current transitional phase in Syria; The Syrian Future Movement believes that the Syrian coast and marine environment suffer from chronic neglect and pollution resulting from the absence of sewage treatment plants and the influx of oil and industrial waste. This necessitates prioritizing the protection of the Syrian coast in early economic and environmental recovery plans.
The movement calls for a civilized and progressive approach that seeks to launch a “National Strategy for the Protection of the Syrian Coast from Pollution,” activate deterrent laws to prevent overfishing and the use of explosives, and obligate coastal industrial and tourism facilities to adhere to environmental safety standards. This should be accompanied by comprehensive clean-up and rehabilitation campaigns led by municipalities and civil society organizations.
Looking ahead, the Syrian Future Movement views the sustainable blue economy as one of the most important future pillars of the Syrian economy. It believes that smart investment in ports, the development of traditional and modern fishing, and the protection of biodiversity will contribute to creating thousands of job opportunities for young people and support sustainable development in a stable and modern Syria.
