In a collective effort to address the growing threat of marine plastic pollution and promote ocean health, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in partnership with the University of Mauritius (UOM) organised a Marine Debris Cleanup Day, today at Ferney.
The Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Hambyrajen Narsinghen, the Secretary- General of IORA, Mr Sanjiv Ranjan, the Vice-Chancellor of UOM, Professor Sanjeev Sobhee and other personalities were present at the launching ceremony. The event also brought together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, students and international representatives reflecting a united force to combatting marine pollution.
In his address Junior Minister Narsinghen highlighted Government’s commitment to fostering a clean and sustainable environment. He praised the initiative, stressing the importance of educating the public as well as tourists on environmental preservation and the protection of marine ecosystems.
He recalled the adoption of IORA’s Strategic Framework of Action on Marine Debris in 2022 which aims to reduce land-based waste generation, prevent plastic pollution from entering waterways and strengthen regional cooperation in combating marine debris.
The Junior Minister also underlined the role of Research in environmental protection, noting that budget 2025-2026 has allocated a significant sum of Rs 200 million to support innovative research and scaling up sustainable initiatives. He encouraged academic institutions to utilise these funds for practical and impactful studies aimed at promoting a more sustainable future.
Mr Ranjan stressed IORA’s key priorities namely the conservation and sustainable use of marine, wetland and coastal resources. He warned of the increasing transboundary threat posed by plastic pollution which constitute a hazard to food security and public health. He therefore called for enhanced collaboration and urgent action from member States, academic and research institutions to address the issue.
For his part Professor Sobhee underlined the importance of protecting and preserving the environment and marine ecosystems. He expressed concerns over the irresponsible disposal of plastic wastes particularly in mangroves areas. The Vice Chancellor urged youngsters to actively engage in environment preservation, emphasising their critical role as future guardians of the planet.
Source : GIS Mauritius