International
Rahming Hosts Working Luncheon as Chair Of U.N. Shark Coalition
By Oswald Brown
Jun 16, 2014 - 4:49:45 PM

His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Shark Coalition, speaking at a working luncheon he recently hosted at the Capital Grille restaurant, New York, with the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts. Seated to his left is Dr. Ed Brooks, Marine Scientist of the Island School of Eleuthera, who was the keynote speaker.

NEW YORK, NY -- His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Shark Coalition, with the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts, recently hosted a working luncheon at the Capital Grille restaurant, New York.

The event constituted part of Ambassador Rahming's efforts, since assumption of the chairmanship of the Coalition in December 2013, to continue the Coalition's work of bringing increased focus and attention to issues related to shark conservation.

The lunch was attended by representatives of the Pew Charitable Trusts and a cross-regional group of Ambassadors and designated representatives. During the course of the lunch, Dr. Ed Brooks, Marine Scientist of the Island School of Eleuthera and keynote speaker, highlighted the work of The Bahamas in this important area, including the history of The Bahamas as a Shark Sanctuary and the economic value of shark conservation to The Bahamas in the context of its world-class tourism industry.

Also raised were related issues concerning the ongoing processes at the United Nations on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (BBNJ) as well as the key roles of social media and advocacy in bringing about changes to fearful and negative attitudes towards sharks.

Ambassador Rahming also took the opportunity to reaffirm the significance of shark conservation in connection with the emerging ‘Blue Economy’ and to remind the Ambassadors in attendance of his intention to lead a field visit to the Island School in Eleuthera later this year, in conjunction with The Pew Charitable Trusts and other partners.

Ambassador Stuart Beck of Palau, immediate past president of the Shark Coalition, was also in attendance and welcomed the increased interest and engagement of Ambassadors in the work and activities of the Shark Coalition while lauding the leadership of Ambassador Rahming as being instrumental in this regard.

Ambassador Rahming indicated that The Bahamas would continue to play a leading role at the United Nations in matters related to shark conservation in particular and oceans issues in general, given their direct relevance to the sustainable development of many countries around the world, of which The Bahamas was a most compelling example.

Dr. Ed Brooks, Marine Scientist of the Island School of Eleuthera, delivering the keynote address at a working luncheon recently hosted by His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Shark Coalition, with the support of the Pew Charitable Trusts, at the Capital Grille restaurant, New York. Ambassador Rahming is seated to his right.

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