EU event unites policymakers, industry, and civil society to shape Ocean Pact for UNOC-3, aiming beyond polarisation
“No polarisation, more actions” – On the road to UNOC-3, EBCD and the EESC gather the users of the seas to build the future Ocean Pact
On 5 May 2025, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD) hosted a high-level event in Brussels (Belgium) to shape the European Ocean Pact ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3). With contributions from EESC Member Javier Garat, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, and MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, the event brought together EU policymakers, academia, users of the seas, and civil society to explore how the Pact can serve as a strategic instrument to deliver on SDG 14.
“Coastal communities are facing deep economic, demographic, and environmental pressures, placing a strain on the blue economy and threatening its future. To respond, the EU, through the Ocean Pact, must promote a sustainable and fair blue economy through investment, innovation, improved working conditions, promotion of aquatic foods through an EU Action Plan for Blue Foods and a strong agenda for ocean knowledge, governance, and decarbonisation.”, explained Javier Garat, EESC Member.
“A clear message emerged on the road to UNOC-3: polarisation is no longer an option if we are serious about ocean sustainability. Whether in fisheries, shipping, aquaculture, or offshore energy, users of the sea face similar challenges and opportunities – only by working together can we ensure that solutions meet the needs of people and safeguard socio-economic prosperity within planetary boundaries,” said Ilias Grampas, Deputy Director of EBCD.
Two expert panels explored how the Ocean Pact can move beyond sectoral divides and provide a shared vision for the sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources. The first panel focused on aligning conservation and sustainable development through the lens of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Speakers discussed how to balance ecological conservation with economic activity and social equity, particularly in fisheries, shipping, and shipbuilding. The second panel addressed the need to break down silos and integrate all ocean ecosystem services—such as food security, energy production, health, and biodiversity—into a coherent ocean governance framework. The session highlighted the trade-offs between competing uses of the sea and called for maritime spatial planning, inclusive dialogue, and cross-sectoral cooperation to be at the heart of the Ocean Pact.
“As the EU prepares its contribution to UNOC-3, the event called for the Ocean Pact to be a unifying force that reflects shared ocean values, addresses the full spectrum of ecosystem services, and helps move from ambition to coordinated action. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with its comprehensive set of targets that extend beyond the 30×30 goal and address both threats to biodiversity and human needs, should serve as a guiding framework for the Ocean Pact.” said Alexandra Philippe, Marine Policy Manager at EBCD.
Speakers included Mark Dickey-Collas (IUCN FEG), Christophe Tytgat (SEA Europe), Rosalie Tukker (Europêche), Béatrice Gorez (Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements), and Luisa Puccio (ECSA), who contributed to the first panel moderated by Alexandra Philippe. The second panel, led by Ilias Grampas, featured Vanessa Stelzenmüller (Thünen Institute), Leonard Mizzi (DG INTPA), Pablo Cadarso (Conxemar), Szilvia Mihalffy (FEAP), Mattia Cecchinato (Wind Europe), and Jacob Armstrong (WWF). The event concluded with closing remarks from Rosa Chapela, Executive Director of CETMAR, and the organisers.
Source: Press Release
