Nicolas EntrupDirector of International Relations
27 years of international ocean negotiations have taught me many things.
A Plea to Speech-Writers and Decision-Makers
I attended my first international Conference within the framework of the United Nations in Nairobi in the year 2000. While not counting the number of meetings of international negotiations focusing on marine conservation matters, they for sure amount to far more than 30, not even including technical, advisory or scientific committee meetings. All of them have been important, focusing on negotiations and resulted in policy decisions. And yes, there have been some remarkable decisions being adopted and successes achieved in all these years. But … this reflection, a plea, is not about counting the number of meetings or a selective documentation about success and progress achieved. It is about something else entirely. These lines are about an observation not new to many, but I felt I needed to address this phenomenon publicly.
Before getting to the main point, let’s agree – based on science and own experience – the ocean is in a dire state. The triple planetary crisis – climate change, biodiversity loss and marine pollution – is evident and imminent. But it is neither new nor surprising. The deterioration and degradation of marine ecosystems is well documented and so is the status of so many species and habitats. We count, witness and document the decrease of species, populations or social units in numbers, observe individuals in distress and suffering, no matter whether talking about marine mammals or fish or other species. It’s a situation of severe concern and we have known this for years.
At the same time, we know what can and needs to be done to address the situation and to counter those trends. And yes, in many areas of work progress is made, but the overall trend remains worrying.
So, here is my plea.
A “decision-maker”, a “policy-maker”, is a person involved in a decision-making process, which can take place on different levels. For now, let us assume I am talking about the Minister level, representing a country, being responsible for the direction and position. Last but not least, a decision – depending on the competence – about policies. And yes, including those that have a direct consequence for the ocean and its inhabitants. They are people with the actual power to define the policy frameworks, protection measures and the ways to enforce them.
It is now 27 years. And there is a sentence which cannot be more true and false at the same time, but which I get really cross about. It is the phrase that became a kind of standard-phrase, almost like an American saying “how are you?” but not having any kind of interest in “how you actually are” but just saying “hello”. It is the phrase that became the almost irreplaceable, unmovable, concrete brick, the epitome of every ending of a speech given by a Minister, a political decision maker, especially when it comes to environmental negotiations, conferences, and meetings. The “love-affair” of all the speech writers whether using AI or being inspired by …. by what, exactly?
What you will learn and hear at the end – the closing – of whether a two, five or ten minutes intervention or 15 minutes keynote speech, after the decision maker associates him- or herself with the dire state of the subject talked about is:
"The Time to act is now!"
Well, do you agree? Do I agree? … Oh yes, but to be honest, when responding to this question I feel pure “emptiness”. The phrase is dead. It has become eroded, eliminated, starved of any meaning… by those using it relentlessly. You’ve heard it. I’ve heard it… by now for 27 years.
But too often, well far too often, it has been pure lip-service rather than an announcement leading to specific measures of those who can. Of those who shall. Of those who must.
Meaningful words that lost their meaning. Strong words, important words, but violated to become meaningless, as those making use of them have failed to apply them. A phrase that vanished in the moment it is spoken. The Minister leaves the room. The next meeting awaits. The species or ecosystem that moved the audience emotionally moments ago is left behind. Alone. And so is the audience that cares. Cares about their, cares about your, cares about our future.
Dear Speech-Writers, please do me a favour: stop mis- and overusing this very important phrase. Remove it from your draft speeches. Support those in power of negotiating and filing decisions that define the future framework for marine policy action and conservation – by writing the speeches with an honest approach.
Dear Decision-Makers, please refrain from meaningless rhetoric. Remind yourself of your duty: the obligations that come with the job you were elected and appointed to do in the common interest. Reflect about the situation of the ocean and the difficulties in overcoming the barriers which prevent real impact and change in a transparent and honest way. Address and confess failures. Talk the truth and tell the facts, identify the reasons for decline, degradation and threats, its sources and list of actions, precisely in what you are going to do and when.
The system failure is so obvious, as it is proven by the triple planetary crisis.
And yes, the “Time to act” is the moment when there is a clear understanding of the matter and in the question of doubt, act precautionary. In many cases the ideal time to act has long gone, but of course we have to get up acting immediately. But when you say those words, then specify the concrete actions you undertake now to improve the situation, protect marine ecosystems, marine species and allow them to restore. If you do it now, fine. But do it and report back about the results once you’ve taken meaningful action.