Dear President of the Region, Renaud Muselier,

Dear Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi,

Dear Jean-Noël Barrot,

Dear Badr Abdelatty,

Excellencies,

Dear participants and guests from all shores of the Mediterranean,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for inviting me to the Mediterranean Day of the United Nations Ocean Conference in beautiful Nice. Its an honor to be here today.

The worlds oceans cover two-thirds of the Earths surface and are vital for more than 3 billion people who rely on marine and coastal ecosystems. The oceans produce 50% of the oxygen we breathe and absorb 25% of CO₂ emissions.

The Mediterranean Sea, bordered by over 20 countries, sees its coastlines population double or triple during tourist season. With over 400 ports, it accounts for around 30% of global maritime trade, providing food, jobs, and energy.

However, the Mediterranean faces significant challenges: pollution, overfishing, global warming, and coastal degradation. Yet, its trans-boundary nature offers opportunities for enhanced cooperation that can drive sustainable economic development and marine ecosystem conservation.

Europe plays a pivotal role here. Recently, the Commission adopted the Ocean Pact, underscoring our commitment to sustainable ocean governance. My colleague Costas Kadis will elaborate on our approach later.

Todays Mediterranean Day highlights the regions importance for a sustainable future. Strengthened cooperation between the EU, North Africa, the Middle East, and Gulf countries is essential, which is why I am proud to have been entrusted with the Mediterranean portfolio within the European Commission.

My mission is to unite partners around the Mare Nostrum, fostering collaboration to unlock untapped potential. Our current priority is developing the New Pact for the Mediterranean, which focuses on renewable energy, climate change mitigation, and sustainable economic ties.

The Pact will encompass bilateral partnerships and regional cooperation across three areas: People, Economies, and Peace, Resilience, and Security. By prioritizing people, we aim to enhance human development through education, job creation, and cultural exchange.

A key initiative is the Trans-Mediterranean Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation Initiative (T-MED), promoting energy cooperation and renewable solutions that benefit everyone.

We also seek to enhance security cooperation and resilience against organized crime, combatting smugglers along irregular migration routes and identifying legal pathways for labor migration.

On peace, I recently visited Syria, where the transition remains challenging but promising. The EU and international community must support Syrias recovery process, as peace and stability are essential for prosperity.

In these uncertain times, collaborating with like-minded partners is vital. Your insights today will contribute to our shared goals.

I wish you fruitful discussions and insightful exchanges. Thank you.