Honourable Members of the European Parliament, distinguished guests,
It is an honour to be with you today and open this event to discuss one of the most vital and pressing issues of our time: the future of our ocean and how the European Ocean Pact can help in securing its health and sustainability.
Allow me first to express my deep gratitude to SEARICA – the Seas, Rivers, Islands, and Coastal Areas Intergroup. Your commitment to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of our maritime regions is truly commendable. I look forward to working with you to build a strong, ambitious, and forward-looking European Ocean Pact.
So what should the EU Ocean Pact be?
The Ocean Pact should be an integrated framework that aligns all EU ocean-related policies under a comprehensive and coherent framework. It must be ambitious, action-oriented, and inclusive, involving all sectors and stakeholders in building a sustainable future for our ocean and a resilient and competitive blue economy for our coastal communities. And it must be implementable so that it can be meaningful.
The Ocean Pact will have a number of key strategic objectives:
- Protecting and restoring the Ocean Health;
- Developing a Competitive and Sustainable European Blue Economy;
- Building a robust Marine Knowledge Framework;
- Establishing a global ocean governance and diplomacy;
- Enhancing the resilience of coastal communities and cities;
Allow me to highlight some of these objectives.
As regards protecting and restoring the Ocean Health, our ocean is not only a source of life and economic opportunity; it is also critical in regulating our climate, while at the same time hosts valuable ecosystems and biodiversity. This is why the Ocean Pact should also focus on ensuring healthy and resilient marine ecosystems. Climate change is already affecting acidification, rising sea levels and temperature, and causes biodiversity loss. The Ocean Pact must incorporate strong commitments and enforcement to protect and restore marine ecosystems.
The EU should also invest in nature-based solutions such as seagrass restoration, wetland protection, and blue carbon initiatives, which support marine biodiversity and act as natural carbon sinks.
As regards advancing a sustainable and inclusive blue economy, the Pact must ensure that economic growth and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. A thriving blue economy can only exist if it is built on responsible and sustainable practices and a healthy ocean. We need to support sectors such as renewable marine energy, transition of transport and shipbuilding, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, blue bioeconomy, marine biotechnology, and eco-tourism to operate within ecological limits.
This is where fair access to resources and opportunities for small-scale fishers, coastal communities, islands, and emerging blue economy start-ups will be key. We must prioritise investment, research, and innovation, encouraging new technologies that improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
As regards strengthening ocean governance and policy coherence, the EU must lead by example. The Ocean Pact should ensure full alignment of existing and future policies and encourage cross-sectoral cooperation with a truly integrated approach.
Furthermore, it is essential that we enhance regional and international collaboration. The EU must continue to advocate for strong global ocean governance, along with international partners.
Of course, the Ocean Pact can only succeed if it has the full support and active participation of national governments, regional authorities, industry leaders, research institutions, and civil society organisations.
We need an inclusive governance structure to ensure that all voices are heard in the decision-making process. The Commission will bring together representatives from all relevant sectors to guide the implementation of the Ocean Pact, as a platform for dialogue, coordination, and problem-solving.
We must keep a long-term view on the health and sustainability of the ocean. For this, we need the next generation on board. The EU must invest in marine education, citizen science initiatives, and youth-led advocacy networks. And we are already moving in this direction. I would like to invite you to our first Youth Policy Dialogue on the 3rd of March.
I am also pleased to announce and invite you to the European Ocean Days from 3-7 March. This is a unique opportunity for policymakers, scientists, industry leaders, and civil society, to come together and discuss the future of our ocean.
The European Parliament has a crucial role in keeping ocean-related policies at the top of the EU agenda. By working closely with the Commission and Member States, the Parliament can ensure that the Ocean Pact translates into concrete actions.
Honourable Members, colleagues, and friends.
In closing, let me stress that the future of our ocean depends on the choices we make today. The EU Ocean Pact must go beyond being another policy initiative. It must be a transformative framework that drives meaningful action, ensures strong stakeholder commitment, and delivers tangible results for our marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
With a clear vision and full stakeholder involvement, we can ensure that Europe is the leader in safeguarding our ocean for future generations. Let us work together, across institutions, industries, and communities, to build a sustainable, prosperous, and resilient future for our seas.
Thank you.
Source – EU Commission