On behalf of the Inca nation, the Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations (UN) Gustavo Meza-Cuadra co-chairs the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, taking place in New York this week.
This year, the process —running from May 15 to 19— revolves around the effects of climate change on oceans.
The opening ceremony saw the presence of Peter Thomson, President of the UN General Assembly and Ko Barrett, Vice-Chair at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Panels and consultations convene scientists and experts from all over the world to analyze the main impacts of climate change on oceans, such as ocean acidification and warming, as well as rising sea levels.
In this context, the first segment addressed oceanographic aspects of "Coastal El Niño" weather phenomenon, which recently triggered torrential rains, floods and landslides that ravaged Peru's northern coast.
Panelists featured Dr. Dimitri Gutierrez, Director of Research in Oceanography and Climate Change at the Peruvian Marine Research Institute (IMARPE).
Dr. Gutierrez, also a biological oceanographer, delivered a presentation on climate change effects on oceans' productivity and oxygenation, focusing on the case of the Tropical South Eastern Pacific.
The consultative process precedes the UN Ocean Conference, also to be held in the New York on June 5-9, 2017.
By co-chairing such high-level event, the Government of Peru reiterates its political commitment to the protection of oceans, as well as to the fight against climate change.
(END) NDP/JCC/FHG/DHT/MVB