Nice, France — In a powerful address delivered at the Ocean Pact side event of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, European Commission President António Costa underscored Europe’s growing leadership in ocean governance and called for urgent global cooperation to protect marine ecosystems amid escalating environmental crises.
Speaking just days after seven additional European Union member states ratified the High Seas Treaty, Costa emphasized that the EU is not only committed to ambitious domestic action but also determined to lead by example on the international stage. “The health of the oceans,” he stated, “is not just critical to a sustainable future. It is also critical for a secure and competitive future.”
A Strategic Approach to Ocean Governance
Costa highlighted the European Council’s recent adoption of comprehensive conclusions on ocean policy — the first of its kind — which outline a strategic, holistic approach to ocean protection, security, and economic sustainability. The new framework, he explained, reflects a paradigm shift in how Europe perceives its relationship with the sea: not merely as a resource to be exploited, but as a shared asset requiring long-term stewardship.
“This is more than environmentalism,” Costa said. “This is about economic resilience, scientific innovation, and geopolitical responsibility.”
Central to this vision is the European Ocean Pact , an initiative jointly proposed by Costa himself and Commissioner for Fisheries and the Oceans Costas Kadis. The pact aims to integrate environmental protection, blue economy development, coastal community empowerment, and maritime security into a unified strategy.
High Seas Treaty Nears Implementation
Costa praised the momentum behind the High Seas Treaty, noting that the EU had played a pivotal role in negotiating and now ratifying the landmark agreement. With the European Union and several member states accelerating their formal ratifications in recent weeks, the treaty is expected to enter into force before the end of 2025 — a timeline that underscores the bloc’s commitment to multilateral solutions.
“We are sending a clear signal,” Costa said. “Global challenges require global answers. And Europe will continue to champion cooperation across borders and sectors.”
Ocean as a Scientific Mission
In a striking metaphor, Costa framed Europe’s renewed focus on the ocean as a scientific mission akin to space exploration. He welcomed the European Commission’s newly announced Ocean Observation Initiative and France’s national “Mission Neptune” — both designed to harness marine science for innovation, competitiveness, and climate resilience.
“Others have looked to the Moon or Mars,” Costa remarked, referencing French President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier speech. “But here in Europe, we’ve decided to put Neptune before Mars.”
He stressed the importance of a science-driven, data-based approach to ocean management and reiterated the EU’s stance against deep-sea mining, calling for a moratorium until the ecological risks are fully understood.
A Call for Global Action
With the triple planetary crisis — climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss — intensifying, Costa urged swift and decisive action from the international community. He warned that the degradation of the oceans threatens not only ecosystems but also global stability and economic prosperity.
“The decline in the oceans’ health makes our commitments urgent,” he said. “And it makes multilateralism more important than ever.”
Calling the ocean a “common good,” Costa pledged that the EU would continue to advocate for stronger global governance frameworks and inclusive decision-making processes involving governments, the private sector, and civil society.
As the world grapples with rising sea levels, collapsing fisheries, and acidifying waters, Costa’s message was clear: Europe is ready to lead — but the time for collective action is now.
Reporting from Nice, where the 2025 UN Ocean Conference continues to bring together leaders, scientists, and activists from around the globe.
Le président du Conseil européen, António Costa, s’est exprimé lors de l’événement parallèle du Pacte pour l’Océan, qui a eu lieu pendant la Conférence des Nations unies sur l’Océan de 2025 à Nice (France).
