Lisbon, Jan. 16, 2025 (Lusa) - The president of the Oceano Azul Foundation, José Soares dos Santos, said on Thursday that decisions on oceans need to be taken more quickly because "much more time cannot be wasted on implementation".
José Soares dos Santos was speaking at the programme presentation for Portugal's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka at the Lisbon Oceanarium.
The president of the foundation emphasised that it was interesting that "30 years after Portugal's bid for Expo 98, which was in [19]92", with Parque Expo having been set up a year later, there is now "a world exhibition with the theme of the oceans".
"We mustn't forget that Portugal pioneered the idea that the oceans are fundamental to humanity and that the oceans are critical to the planet's survival as a single ecosystem," José Soares dos Santos continued.
But "I must also mention the slow pace of what has happened over the last 30 years in terms of protecting the oceans, promoting the oceans and realising their importance" not only for coastal communities, "but for the planet as a whole", he stressed.
"I can't help but rejoice at the steps that have been taken in the last three/four/five years when Portugal has dared to take on its leadership role in protecting the oceans," he said, highlighting the work carried out by the Oceano Azul Foundation with the Portuguese state, local councils, regional governments and universities, among others.
He also emphasised that "Portugal is now a European leader in recognising not only the natural importance of the oceans, but also their economic importance and their social role" in communities and in the "future of Europe".
The foundation's president congratulated the Portuguese state and government for their actions, which have' benefited Portugal's leadership in this area".
And he took the opportunity to make a request: "We have to be quicker, we can't be so afraid or accommodate so many opinions, we have to realise" what "work bears fruit in the medium and long term" and "we can't waste much more time implementing it".
"All the decisions we make in the next 12 to 18 months will have an impact in six or seven years" and this “requires political courage, which I don't think Portugal lacks” because the issue of the oceans “has been transversal” to the various governments, he argued.
Portugal is one of 161 countries participating in the Expo, dedicated to the theme "Designing Future Societies for Our Lives".
Portugal's participation in the exhibition has the theme "Ocean: Blue Dialogue" and involves more than 150 companies, associations, local authorities and national artists.
Expo 2025 Osaka takes place in Japan from 13 April to 13 October.
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