Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends and partners,
The European Blue Economy Conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders and innovators to explore the future of Europes blue economy and its role in driving sustainability and competitiveness.
It is therefore a great pleasure to address you today at this third edition of the Conference.
We are all here today for the same shared reason: our profound commitment to fostering a sustainable blue economy and to shaping its future.
And if anyone asks why this matters, the answer is rather simple. The ocean is the lifeline of the European Union. Nearly 40 % of our citizens, about 180 million people, live within 50 kilometres of its waters. The ocean feeds us, employs us, connects us and protects us. The oceans impact on our lives is profound and undeniable.
A sustainable blue economy is essential for the prosperity for our coastal communities, for our food autonomy, our competitiveness and our security.
The EUs blue economy is a powerful engine of growth. It directly supports 5 million jobs and generates more than 250 billion euro in gross value added each year. It is a core pillar of Europes industrial and security strategy, with immense potential for future growth.
The blue economy spans traditional sectors that are undergoing significant transformations, such as fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport as well as coastal and maritime tourism. At the same time, it is driving innovation in emerging industries such as renewable ocean energy, blue biotechnology and bioeconomy, and ocean observation.
According to the MIT Blue Technology Barometer, the EU leads globally, with 11 Member States ranked among the top 20. Key sectors, from clean technology and defence to artificial intelligence and energy-intensive industries, are deeply embedded in the Blue Economy.
Yet, our ocean is under pressure. Pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of marine resources threaten its health and resilience. These challenges demand urgent, collective action.
We need a more integrated approach to ocean management and governance. One that balances economic activity with conservation, and short-term needs with long-term sustainability. Fragmented, sector-by-sector governance is no longer fit for purpose.
Well, the good news that we have the knowledge, the technologies, the capital, and, above all, the political will to build a blue economy that protects biodiversity, tackles climate change, creates new industries and quality jobs, and boosts Europes economic growth and resilience.
This is why President Von der Leyen presented the European Ocean Pact at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice last June.
In the past, ocean-related policies were fragmented, limiting their impact. The Ocean Pact is a game-changer. It provides a single strategic reference framework for all EU Ocean-related actions, ensuring coherence, coordination and ambition across ocean policies.
Effective ocean governance lies at its core. Governments, industries, scientists, and local communities must work together to promote sustainable economic practices and long-term ocean health.
I am confident that the European Ocean Pact will strengthen EUs blue economy and economic prospects. Together with other Commission services, we are advancing key ocean-related initiatives which are included in the Ocean Pact, such as the Industrial Maritime Strategy, the EU Ports Strategy, the EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, and the revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Strong international ocean governance will be essential to turn these efforts into international standard.
The Ocean Pact is backed by concrete action: around 90 initiatives, including 30 flagship actions. A high-level Ocean Pact Board will be soon established to advise the Commission on implementation. Progress will be tracked by the EU Ocean Pact Dashboard, and the first State of the Ocean Pact report, to be published by the end of this year.
Another cornerstone of the European Ocean Pact will be the forthcoming Ocean Act, confirmed in President von der Leyens Letter of intent accompanying the 2025 State of the Union address.
The Ocean Act, to be delivered by the end of 2026, will provide a clear legal framework for ocean governance, bringing existing ocean-related targets under one roof. It will not create new obligations. Instead, it will streamline legislation, improve coherence and support effective implementation of ocean related policies in a coordinated manner—while fully respecting better regulation principles.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are at a decisive moment. The choices we make today will determine the health of our ocean, the strength and competitiveness of our economy, as well as the wellbeing of future generations.
The European Ocean Pact sets the magnetic pole in our compass. The blue economy gives us momentum. What we need now is collective action, ambition and trust in our shared capacity to deliver change.
The same broad participation and cooperation between all interested stakeholders, that went into developing the Ocean Pact should continue now for its implementation. The European Commission is determined to work in this direction.
Lets continue working together to turn a vision into reality, so that Europes Ocean remains a source of life, prosperity and inspiration for generations to come.
Thank you!