The event featured prominent stakeholders working on Ocean matters who addressed the need for a comprehensive European Ocean Pact, focusing on research, how to fund the future pact, and international cooperation. Commissioner Costas Kadis, Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, MEP Isabella Lövin, Marta Cavallé, Torsten Thiele all participated in this engaging conversation around the future of the Pact.
Our director general Geneviève Pons-Deladrière began the discussion with Oceano Azul Foundation’s CEO Tiago Pitta e Cunha. that introduced a holistic vision with its five branches (inspired by the shape of the starfish):
1. Filling the knowledge and emotional gap
2. Regenerating marine and freshwater ecosystems
3. Zero pollution
4. Decarbonising our ocean, seas, and waters
5. Revamping governance
This lead to our Manifesto for a European Ocean Pact, later integrated into Von der Leyen’s Commission Work Programme. They emphasised that “we are a Ocean Union without an Ocean Policy”.
Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, then discussed the creation of the Ocean Pact, and the five key priorities it should include :
1. Developing a sustainable blue economy
2. Securing health of the Ocean
3. Ground ocean policies have to be built on sound knowledge in order to develop an ocean framework (the role of research and innovation is critical)
4. The need for international ocean governance as challenges faced by the ocean are not local and are cross-border
5. Mechanism which makes sure the Pact is properly implemented, so which will monitor the progress of the Pact (indicators will measure it)
The conversation also turned to the importance of financing ocean sustainability. While it is still unsure whether specific funding mechanisms will be put in place (such as an Ocean Fund), the conversation stressed the importance of encouraging private investment and supporting successful initiatives. Panelists agreed that binding agreements for EU Member States were essential, with concerns that non-binding goals could limit progress.
However, apprehensions over the decline of Europe’s seas were expressed. They argued blue finance should be a key tool for ocean regeneration. The panel also discussed the importance of enforcement, particularly on bottom-trawling practices.
Looking ahead, the actors present highlighted expectations for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), where the EU aims to ratify the BBNG treaty.
The event highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to ocean governance, combining scientific research, effective policy, and international cooperation to ensure the long-term health of the oceans.