Oceans play a key role in our daily lives. They are integral to sustainable development and an important frontier for research. As scientists explore the oceans at greater depths than ever before, they continue to discover new forms of marine life. This research has great potential to advance human well-being.

海洋在我們的日常生活中發揮著關鍵作用，是可持續發展的有機組成部分，是重要的科研前沿地帶。科學家正在對海洋進行前所未有的深入探索，他們不斷發現新形式的海洋生物。這一研究很有可能為人類謀取福祉。

But, if we are to fully benefit from what oceans have to offer, we must address the damaging impacts of human activities. The diversity of life in the oceans is under ever-increasing strain. Over-exploitation of marine living resources, climate change, and pollution from hazardous materials and activities all pose a grave threat to the marine environment. So does the growth of criminal activities, including piracy, which have serious implications for the security of navigation and the safety of seafarers.

但是，如果我們希望充分得益于海洋所能帶來的惠益，我們就必須消除人類活動產生的破壞影響。海洋生物多樣性正日益面臨更大壓力。對海洋生物資源的過度開發、氣候變化及有害物質和活動所致的污染，這些都對海洋環境構成嚴重威脅。犯罪活動的增加，包括海盜行為，同樣也是嚴重威脅，對航行安全和海員的安全有著嚴重影響。

Much action is already being taken within the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — our “constitution for the oceans”. More than 15 years after the Convention’s entry into force, it continues to act as our guide. But if we are to safeguard the capacity of the oceans to service society’s many and varied needs, we need to do much more. On this second annual commemoration of World Oceans Day, I urge Governments and citizens everywhere to acknowledge the enormous value of the world’s oceans — and do their part in ensuring their health and vitality.

已開始在1982年《聯合國海洋法公約》框架內采取許多行動，該公約是我們的“海洋憲法”。該公約生效已有15年之久，但它仍是我們的行動導向。然而，如欲保障海洋服務于人類社會多種多樣需要的能力，我們還需要做更多工作。在此世界海洋日兩周年活動之際，我促請各國政府和世界各地公民認同世界各大洋的巨大價值，各盡所能，確保各大洋的健康和活力。