Page 14 - Economia Azul - versão: inglês
P. 14

n December 5, 2017, the United Nations (UN) declared the years 2021                                         At a time when the seas and oceans reach unprecedented relevance on the inter-
                         to 2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.                                         national scene, the Navy is proud to be able to play an important role in the dis-
                O With many of its vital interests tied to the sea, Brazil finds itself, at the                                      cussions around the concept of Blue Economy, maintaining a constant course in
                 dawn of this “Decade of the Oceans”, facing an auspicious horizon, revealed,                                        the protection of our riches, in the work in favor of the associated activities and
                 in large part, by the fruitful and historic effort of the Brazilian Navy to know and                                in supporting the production of knowledge that can contribute to the optimized
                 highlight the relevance and potential of the marine environment for the country.                                    and sustainable use of natural resources in our Jurisdictional Waters. This book
                 This work led, for example, to the adoption of the term Amazônia Azul (Blue                                         is yet another important initiative in this regard, bringing together renowned
                 Amazon) to designate the immense maritime areas over which Brazil has jurisdic-                                     sources and data, proposing reflections on the Brazilian maritime potential.
                 tion and exclusive economic exploitation rights, drawing attention to its impor-                                    Major global challenges, such as food and energy security, will require interna-
                 tance in terms of biodiversity, natural resources, its vastness and vulnerabilities,
                                                                                                                                     tional cooperation and action on marine resources. In this scenario, Brazil, as a
                 similar to the Amazon Forest.
                                                                                                                                     large coastal nation with an inevitable vocation for the sea, is faced with great
                 Primarily intended for the preparation and use of the Naval Power for the De-                                       opportunities, which will be best addressed by a greater involvement of all sec-
                 fense of the Homeland, the Brazilian Navy also exercises the attributions of the                                    tors of society with the construction and conduct of public policies aimed at the
                 Brazilian Maritime Authority (AMB), performing a wide range of tasks in favor                                       seas and oceans.
                 of the development of the maritime potential of the Country, such as navigation                                     We definitely need to promote the health of our waters, scientifically and with
                 safety activities; training of specialized personnel for the Merchant Navy; nautical                                in-depth knowledge of the Brazilian maritime heritage and to stimulate the
                 signage; safeguarding human life at sea and inland waters; prevention of water
                                                                                                                                     growth of the Blue Economy. These must be enduring national commitments.
                 pollution caused by vessels, platforms and their support facilities; combating il-
                                                                                                                                     Let’s embark on this mission together! Welcome everyone aboard the book The
                 licit activities, such as illegal fishing; and hydrography, oceanography and marine                                 Blue Economy: Vector for the Development of Brazil.
                 meteorology activities.
                                                                                                                                     Long live the Blue Amazon!
                 AMB also coordinates the Interministerial Commission for Sea Resources (CIRM),
                 which provides relevant support to scientific research carried out on board Navy                                    Long live my, your, our Navy!
                 ships, on our oceanic islands and on the Antarctic continent. In addition, Brazilian                                All for our Homeland!
                 Navy, sensitive to the urgent and serious issue of water pollution by solid waste,                                                                                   ALMIR GARNIER SANTOS
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Fleet Admiral
                 has been engaging in awareness campaigns and in effective actions to combat                                                                                                   Navy Commander
                 garbage at sea.                                                                                                                                                       Brazilian Maritime Authority
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