This morning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heraldo Muñoz, participated in the "Plastic in Our Oceans – Let's Act Now!" panel which was held at Universidad Diego Portales.
The activity, part of the framework of the Second "Our Ocean 2015" Conference, aims to achieve solutions to deal with illegal fishing, marine plastic pollution and ocean acidification and its relation to climate change. It also seeks to encourage the creation of marine protected areas as a tool to protect the marine ecosystem.
Joining Foreign Minister Muñoz were U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Michael Hammer; Director of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Chile, Ricardo Bosshard; and plastic waste expert, Martin Thiel, who addressed the issue of maritime pollution.
The Foreign Minister remarked on the 2015 Our Ocean Conference to be held on October 5 and 6 in Valparaiso: "The concept of concrete solutions must be emphasized. What we are asking leaders who are coming [to the conference] is to bring real commitments and specific solutions to the problems facing our ocean."
He also highlighted the global nature of this event, which will bring together more than 400 personalities from the political, academic and civil society spheres, including Secretary of State of the United States John Kerry, and Prince Albert of Monaco, all of whom are committed to the protection of the ocean.