Intervention by EU Commissioner Vella at the United Nations Ocean Conference: Partnership Dialogue on the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Ladies and gentlemen,

It’s an honour to address you today.

As we have heard many times this week, the pressures on our oceans are immense. There is a real threat of irreparable damage.

Still, we are finally taking ocean sustainability seriously – SDG 14 is the best example.

In fact, today, we have more instruments to achieve this goal than ever before in history.

Just think of the FAO Port State Measures Agreement, the latest legal instrument to enter into force.

But gaps remain. The world is changing, and our ocean governance framework needs to adapt.

UNCLOS is crucially important as the legal framework within which all activities in oceans must be carried out. Yet, we need to address the gaps that could not be foreseen at the time UNCLOS was drafted. A new legally-binding BBNJ instrument would be a major step forward to achieve this.

We also need to protect our fragile Arctic environment. We should therefore rapidly conclude an international agreement to prevent unregulated fisheries in the central Arctic Ocean.

We must also ensure that instruments that are already in place are properly implemented. This requires more cooperation and coordination, for example between regional sea conventions and RFMOs.

The European Union is determined to play its part.

Our fisheries agreements with other countries make sure we keep fish stocks at healthy levels.

Our rules against illegal fishing are some of the toughest in the world.

Not to mention our environmental policies and our maritime security strategy.

And we are helping our partners improve their own ocean governance capacity.

Whether it’s funding joint patrols to tackle illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean, or boosting fish trade – and food security – across the African continent.

And last November, the EU adopted its international ocean governance agenda. A proposal of 50 actions for oceans that

are safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed – in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda and our shared goals under SDG 14.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The challenges are clear. Now it’s time to act.

That is why this week’s conference is so important. That is why the European Union has presented 19 voluntary commitments for this conference. And that is why the European Union is hosting the fourth edition of the international Our Ocean conference in Malta in October.

I am convinced that focusing on tangible action is the way to success.

So, on behalf of our oceans, thank you for your commitment.

Thank you.