The 2022 UN Ocean Conference opened in Lisbon, Portugal on the 27th. The meeting called on people to take urgent action to open a "new chapter of ocean action" with science, technology and innovation as the driving force. Human activities are endangering the health of the oceans. According to the 2021 global climate report released by the World Meteorological Organization in May, indicators such as sea level rise, sea water warming, sea water acidification and greenhouse gas concentration reached new highs in 2021, which also posed severe challenges to human living environment, food security and economic growth. At the opening ceremony of the general assembly, UN Secretary General Guterres said that people are now facing a "maritime emergency" and that "we must reverse the situation. A healthy and productive ocean is crucial to our common future". Guterres said that since the last UN Ocean Conference five years ago, people have made some progress in marine protection, but "there is still more work to be done by all of us". In this regard, he put forward a number of suggestions, including investing in a sustainable marine economy, strengthening marine protection and coastal area management, investing in coastal infrastructure to adapt to climate change, and using more scientific and technological innovation to promote global marine action. This UN ocean Congress is co hosted by Portugal and Kenya. Politicians, business leaders, scientists, civil society organizations and thousands of young people from many countries will participate in the five-day conference to discuss solutions to the challenges facing the oceans. According to the organizer, it is expected that all countries will reach an agreement and issue a political declaration on the global action plan to deal with marine degradation before the end of the conference. (Xinhua News Agency)