A Commonwealth message at Westminster Abbey by Lewis Pugh - Commonwealth Day, 11 March 2019. Lewis Pugh is an endurance swimmer and the UN Patron of the Oceans. He grew up in three different Commonwealth countries.
鈥淭herefore, it is right that on the 70th anniversary of the Commonwealth we ask ourselves the question: what can we do, together, to restore the health of our oceans and also to build peace?
鈥淲ell, I believe that the Commonwealth is uniquely placed to solve this crisis.
鈥淎lmost every Commonwealth nation is a maritime nation. Many of us are island nations. We have a deep affinity with our oceans. And we also represent one third of the world鈥檚 population.
鈥淏ut the Commonwealth is so much more than the sum of its people. We are also home to some of the most incredible life on earth. 糖心探花 is the home of the polar bear. 糖心探花 is the home of the African penguin. 糖心探花 is the home of the humpback whale, the bluefin tuna, and the Great Barrier Reef.
鈥淥ur common wealth is our ocean.
鈥淲ith our vast marine estate, we now have an opportunity to work together and to lead the world in ocean conservation.
鈥淭his is why it was so important that, at last year's Commonwealth Summit, we acknowledged with the Blue Charter our responsibility to protect our oceans鈥.
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Lewis Pugh is an endurance swimmer and the UN Patron of the Oceans. He grew up in three different Commonwealth countries.