Special-Accreditation to ASCOA by UN to take part in the 2020 UNITED NATIONS Ocean Conference

ASCOA’s work to protect the environment by sensitizing communities in Cameroon and organizing regular clean-ups has been recognized by the United Nations. As such, our organization is the only English-speaking one in Cameroon to have been invited to the UN’s Ocean Conference in Lisbon 2-6, June 2020 https://oceanconference.un.org.
Five of our volunteers/members will go to the preparatory meeting in United Nation Headquarter New York City, USA, in February and will subsequently participate in the event held in Portugal, Lisbon 2-6, June 2020.

Why is this such a big step for ASCOA and the environment?

Cameroon has been engulfed in a conflict in recent years, which has caused many hardships to its people. In these conditions, most people do not have the luxury to worry about anything other than basic necessities and protecting their families. That is why ASCOA and other such organizations are vital in the fight to protect our environment. They continue to invest in protecting the earth while the country recovers.

The theme is “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: Stocktaking, partnerships, and solutions”.

What does that mean concretely for ASCOA?

We will be able to meet representatives of many other organizations, exchange ideas and plant the seeds for future partnerships that will help us clean our coast. This is an incredible chance to learn new strategies to protect our environment at little cost, and also to teach others about our methods. We hope to keep the ocean and our rivers clean and to promote sustainable fishery around the country and abroad.

What are we doing as of now?

In recent times ASCOA has participated in events such as International Coastal Cleanup Day and involved inhabitants and children living in coastal areas in cleaning up. The participation of local communities is crucial to our mission.

What’s next?

ASCOA also is planning to organize a conference on marine debris, coastal cleanup, plastic pollution, and waste management during International coastal cleanup day September 19th, 2020. Watch this space for updates! https://web.facebook.com/AscoaAscoa/