The Nature Conservancy and global partners are hosting a session on improving marine protected areas at the United Nations Ocean Conference with support from Mary Kay Inc.

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The 2022 UN Ocean Conference took place from June 27 to July 1 in Lisbon, Portugal, and brought together more than 5,000 participants, including world leaders, entrepreneurs, youth, influencers and scientists. The conference aimed to help these stakeholders find science-based innovations and solutions to address a multidimensional ocean crisis caused by climate change, overfishing, habitat loss and pollution.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC), with support from Mary Kay Inc., organized an event in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Government of Ecuador, the Jocotoco Foundation, the Charles Darwin for the Galapagos Islands, Re:wild, and the Marine Conservation Institute.

TNC and UNEP moderated the event, highlighting the critical importance of ensuring the quality of marine protected areas (MPAs) through improved governance, effective management and climate resilience and the important roles that communities, NGOs , governments, philanthropy, the private sector and sectoral collaborations play into effective MPAs.

The event stood out at the conference because it highlighted the need to improve the management of existing areas, rather than promoting the establishment of new protections. As currently less than 3% of MPAs are effectively managed, the effectiveness of these protective measures is essential to capitalize on their potential for both conservation and livelihoods.

TNC’s Dr. Lizzie Mcleod noted, “Effective management is fundamental to achieving the 30×30 commitments, a campaign to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. With support from Mary Kay, TNC, UNEP and other partners, we are developing tools for managers to improve marine management, support sustainable development funding and guide marine habitat restoration. By leveraging innovation, new technologies and global best practices, maritime managers will be better able to address the major threats facing our oceans.

“MPAs are essential to ocean health and sustainable development. But they aren’t always effective without a supporting range. Decision support tools to improve the design and management of MPAs, knowledge sharing and collaboration are needed to provide marine stakeholders with the support they need to better protect the oceans,” said said Ole Vestergaard, program manager in the Marine, Coastal and Freshwater Ecosystems Division. for the implementation of environmental policies at UNEP.

“Mary Kay Founder, Mary Kay Ash, believed there were three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. , said Deborah Gibbins, chief operating officer at Mary Kay. . “We are honored to join forces with the first kind of people to develop the tools and resources needed to protect our oceans for generations to come.

If we are to protect and restore ocean and coastal ecosystem services, revitalize ocean systems, and secure our current livelihoods and the future of humanity, we must improve the effectiveness of marine protected areas in achieving their conservation goals. conservation and sustainability alongside accelerating MPA coverage.

About The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so nature and people can thrive together. We fight climate change, conserve land, water and oceans on an unprecedented scale, provide food and water sustainably, and help make cities more sustainable. Working in 79 countries and territories, we use a collaborative approach that involves local communities, governments, the private sector and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

About the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

UNEP is the world’s leading voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in environmental protection by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

About Mary Kay Inc.

One of the first to shatter the glass ceiling, Mary Kay Ash founded the beauty company of her dreams in 1963 with one goal: to enrich the lives of women. That dream has turned into a multi-billion dollar business with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. As an entrepreneurship development company, Mary Kay is committed to empowering women on their journey through education, mentorship, advocacy, networking and innovation. Mary Kay is committed to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in enriching lives today for a sustainable future, partnering with organizations around the world focused on promoting business excellence, supporting cancer research, promoting equality, protecting survivors of domestic violence, beautifying our communities and encouraging children to achieve their dreams. . Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.