European Union committed to sustainable ocean governance

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The European Union (EU) has demonstrated strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to sustainable ocean governance, reaffirming its role as a key global player in protecting marine resources.

“This is exactly the message I would like to project today,” said Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Union.

Delivering her key remarks during the official opening of the Honiara Summit on Tuesday this week, Vitcheva emphasized that the EU will continue to be a reliable partner in advancing sustainable international ocean governance.

“Ocean-related issues have been gaining momentum, and many of the milestones we’ve achieved have already been mentioned. However, I would like to highlight a few key points.

I was particularly impressed when Ambassador Thompson stated that we owe SDG 14.4 to the Pacific Islands. They have been the true defenders of this Sustainable Development Goal, and on behalf of the global community, I extend my gratitude for their dedication to protecting our ocean,” Vitcheva said.

She recalled the 2016 Port State Measures Agreement, established under the auspices of the FAO, which plays a crucial role in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“Fighting IUU fishing is an important milestone, and I can assure you that one of the most committed and coherent fighters against IUU is the European Union,” she stated.

Vitcheva highlighted that the EU has implemented strong legislative measures and has assisted several third countries, including those in the Pacific, in strengthening their capacity to combat IUU fishing.

Vitcheva outlined several significant milestones in ocean conservation efforts, including:

Key milestones in ocean conservation include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the ocean, the 2023 Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, which integrated ocean-related concerns for the first time, and two landmark agreements: the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

“These agreements are exceptionally important for the ocean, and in all these milestones, the European Union has been a leading and coherent advocate for sustainability,” Vitcheva said.

She also acknowledged the EU’s longstanding support for the UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by three of its member states—Sweden, Portugal, and France—alongside Fiji, Kenya, and Costa Rica.

Vitcheva stressed that the EU will continue to champion multilateral cooperation and uphold a rules-based global system to address global challenges effectively.

“The EU remains committed to valuing global solutions to global problems, upholding international obligations, and ensuring that ocean governance remains a top priority,” she concluded.

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