For this reason, when adopting the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN member states chose to include protecting our oceans as part of the 14th of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that a framework is in place to sustainably manage and mitigate the challenges facing our oceans.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which serves as the implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has been working on projects that are building trust and mechanisms in various participating countries as a catalyst for collective management of oceans.

So far, 10 projects in the International Water focal areas have been implemented with China's participation to promote the collective management of the full range of policy, legal and institutional reform and investment that contribute to the sustainable use and maintenance of the marine ecosystem services.

With the goal of promoting cooperation between China and the countries along the marine silk road and building the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" together, this year's World Ocean Week (WOW) in Xiamen offers the opportunity to establish stronger bonds among nations that share the rights and responsibilities of the oceans.

The UNDP stands ready to work together with all stakeholders to accelerate the actions to protect the oceans and create positive impacts, and to ensure the sustainable utilization and development of marine resources and economy.

With the newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in place, the time to come together and protect our oceans is now. We cannot afford the loss of the cradle of life if the Earth is to survive.

The author is UNDP Country Director for China

Read in Chinese

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn