8 June 2026 13:48 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission says Blue diplomacy requires multilateral action

Key points

Blue diplomacy and multilateral cooperation
OceanEye initiative to strengthen global ocean observation

TL;DR

Notes first anniversary of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference and the European Ocean Pact
Announces adoption of the OceanEye initiative and an International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System
Emphasizes multilateralism and blue diplomacy; expresses gratitude to France as a partner

Original text

European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Opening Address by Commissioner Kadis at the Neptune Forum: “First Anniversary of UNOC-3: Assessment and Outlook for Blue Diplomacy” Paris, 8 June 2026 Dear Minister, distinguished guests– friends of the Ocean, It is an honour to join you all for this forum. I want to thank Mission Neptune for having me, and for gathering us all today to celebrate the World Ocean Day! This month actually calls for many ocean celebrations with two very important anniversaries. The first, of course, is that it has been a year since the 3 rd UN Ocean Conference, which took place in Nice. The second, also completes its first year, and it is the anniversary of the European Ocean Pact. Both have the same core principle: to take care of the ocean, and meet the challenges it faces today. Both share the same conviction: we must act together. The Ocean Pact sets our clear intention to maintain and promote the rules based international order. We need to navigate the turbulent geopolitical waters, seek deeper and stronger alliances, and find practical and pragmatic ways to work to preserve and strengthen the multilateral order we have built over the decades. Multilateralism is the best way to deliver effectively for the global commons, particularly as far as ocean governance is concerned. So many delegations at the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice last June reaffirmed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the key framework for all ocean matters. This is also at the heart of the BBNJ Agreement, which we strived for, and which entered into force earlier this year. Science and data are crucial. And, as announced in March during the European Ocean Days by President von der Leyen, last week the European Commission adopted the OceanEye initiative, our window on the ocean. And it is a privilege to consider Neptune as an important leg of this initiative. One of the pillars of the OceanEye is to build an International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System. Our aim is to unite EU countries and international partners, to jointly reinforce their commitments to strengthen the Global Ocean Observation System. Due to the complicated nature of ocean observation, no single country or region can observe the ocean alone. This must be a global effort with diplomacy at its forefront. The ocean covers 70% of our planet. It regulates our climate, feeds our people. No single nation can save it. Blue diplomacy needs to be our new reality, because the challenges ahead have no borders. They are, like the ocean itself, global. The ocean deserves nothing less than our cooperation. And we are grateful to France for being a loyal partner in these efforts. Thank you! SPEECH/26/1300

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