The presentation of the EU’s “Ocean Pact” at the upcoming UN conference in Nice should be the start of an ambitious ocean governance (see EUROPE 13654/3). Especially in today’s geopolitical landscape, the EU’s leadership in protecting the ocean will be more necessary than ever.
Ocean governance in an age of geopolitical drift
In today’s increasingly tense geopolitical climate, environmental priorities risk being sidelined, even as ocean temperatures break records and climate disasters escalate. Now more than ever, the ocean must be seen not only as a natural asset but as a cornerstone of global security and stability.
Geopolitical tensions, including strategic moves by certain key players which are putting multilateralism to the test, have complicated efforts to ensure sustainable ocean governance worldwide.
Against this backdrop, Europe cannot afford to stand still. The upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice presents a crucial opportunity for the EU to assert leadership. The European Commission’s presentation of the European Ocean Pact on 9 June 2025 marks a significant diplomatic milestone for ocean protection and governance. Yet this moment should be viewed as a starting point rather than a conclusion. After the EU’s Mission ‘Restore Our Ocean and Waters’ and our efforts to advocate for an Ambitious European Ocean Pact, the EU’s Ocean Pact marks the start of a critical phase of implementation. Europe must demonstrate its international credibility in the field and translate its ambitions into tangible outcomes.
The European Ocean Pact is a good start to better protect the ocean and sustainably use their potential
The European Ocean Pact will be built around six pillars, ranging from the restoration of ocean health to the promotion of a sustainable and competitive blue economy. It places a strong emphasis on enabling coastal and island communities to thrive. In addition, the Pact will address pressing and timely issues such as maritime security, the advancement of ocean research and innovation, and the strengthening of the EU’s leadership in international ocean governance.
We welcome this overarching perspective as it covers critical branches. The European Ocean Pact signals the EU’s clear intention to become a major player in international ocean governance, positioning itself as a future “Ocean Union”. This ambition to link ocean protection with Europe’s prosperity, security, and sustainability is a positive step, especially given today’s challenging geopolitical context.
However, without a strong, unifying strategy to tie together its various goals, there is a risk the Pact could become fragmented and lose impact. For the EU to truly lead, it will need a holistic approach that connects environmental, economic, and security priorities into a coherent vision.
But not yet sufficient: The EU needs to now move from ambition to implementation
The European Ocean Pact will now move from ambition to implementation. Indeed, it is not enough to promise ambitious proposals – they also need to be implemented.
In particular, the EU will now need to focus on 3 aspects: boosting a regenerative and sustainable blue economy; harnessing science and technology to better understand and restore marine environments; and fostering an ambitious and coherent global ocean governance.
The European Ocean Pact should pave the way for a European industrial policy that supports a regenerative blue economy, an approach that not only protects the ocean but actively restores marine ecosystems and benefits coastal communities. Europe must also lead in marine science and innovation by defining a strategy for marine research that matches the environmental, economic and geopolitical interests of the Union, while investing in technologies like the Digital Twin of the Ocean and creating a strong data and research framework. At the same time, the EU should strengthen its global leadership by developing a more coherent foreign policy on ocean governance, ensuring ocean issues are fully integrated into international climate and biodiversity agendas.
Action across these areas will only be meaningful if accompanied by strong, enforceable commitments to ecosystem protection. Without healthy ecosystems, investments in the blue economy lose their relevance, scientific advances cannot serve a dying ocean, and international governance risks being weakened by mounting tensions over resource competition.
The importance of continued commitment after the European Ocean Pact
The consequences of inaction are urgent and far-reaching. If the European Ocean Pact fails to translate ambition into effective action, it could undermine global efforts to safeguard our ocean at a critical moment, when marine ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure. The health of the ocean is deeply intertwined with climate stability, biodiversity, economic well-being, and geopolitical security.
Pascal Lamy, Geneviève Pons, vice-presidents of Europe Jacques Delors Institute
Tiago Pitta e Cunha, CEO of Oceano Azul Foundation