G20 meet to discuss sustainable way to harness ocean resources

India will showcase its low-temperature thermal desalination technology and its strides in marine spatial planning at the G-20 meeting

India will showcase its low-temperature thermal desalination technology and its strides in marine spatial planning at the G-20 meeting on blue economy in Diu on Thursday.

The meeting of the Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) on 'Scientific Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Blue Economy' will be held on May 18-19, which will see the participation of delegates from the G-20 countries.

Secretary, Department of Earth Sciences, M Ravichandran will lead the proceedings, which will deliberate on issues such as Blue Economy Sectors and Opportunities; Observation Data and Information Services; Marine Ecosystems and Pollution; Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning; Marine Living Resources and Biodiversity; Deep Sea Ocean Technology and Blue Economy Policy Perspective.

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"Our focus will be on harnessing ocean resources in a sustainable manner," Ravichandran said, adding the delegates will share best practices in the sector and identify short and long term goals.

He said the global ocean and its resources hold tremendous potential for sustainable economic growth, but at the same time, the coastal and marine environment was facing serious challenges from accelerating impacts of climate change, growing marine pollution and declining biodiversity.

"The RIIG meeting aims to explore the role of science, technology and innovation in addressing contemporary environmental threats to oceans and sustainably utilising the economic opportunities within the framework of a Blue Economy," Ravichandran said.