Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation Ambassador Jessye Lapenn hosted the first virtual meeting of senior representatives from 43 Atlantic coastal countries on May 23 to build upon a Joint Statement issued last September on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

The substantive meeting focused on the benefits of a proposed new Atlantic Cooperation forum that comprises the whole of the Atlantic, during which the senior representatives discussed basic principles to guide such a forum and identified specific regional priorities, building on the work of existing efforts and a shared commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, open, and cooperative Atlantic region that remains a healthy and environmentally resilient resource for generations to come.

The Atlantic Ocean connects us.  It is a unique environment, a trade route, a food source, and a means of support for the livelihood of millions.  It is the most heavily traveled ocean which supports 49 million jobs in Africa and $21 billion in GDP in Latin America and is at the heart of changing global climate and weather patterns.

For more information, contact OES-PA-DG@state.gov.

Original source can be found here.