The Government has signed up to a global oceans partnership at Rio+20
The Rio+20 conference which opened on Wednesday is being held in 20 years on from the original Earth Summit in Brazil.
In her address, Environment Minister Amy Adams told the summit that New Zealand is particularly concerned about harmful fisheries subsidies which are depleting global fish stocks.
She said ensuring small island developing states get a greater share of their marine resources is a priority.
The oceans agreement signed up to by New Zealand is aimed at better management of fisheries, protecting marine environments and addressing pollution.
Nine other countries are in the partnership, including Australia, South Korea and Norway, and 63 organisations including fishing and seafood companies.
‘Moving forward’
United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon warned at the opening of the summit that progress on sustainable development was too slow and that words must translate into action.
The Green Party says New Zealand has failed to meet promises made at the Earth Summit.
Ms Adams says that while she would have liked to see some things come to fruition, the summit is getting all countries to move forward.
She told Morning Report the conference brings together hundreds of countries with considerably different economic and political frameworks.
“I think we have to work on the basis of taking the progress we can and supporting them to continue to work in that direction.”
Source: Radio New Zealand
