When: 5 May 2025, 14.00- 18.00 CET
Where: European Committee of the Regions – Rue Van Maerlant 2 – 2nd floor – VMA22 – 1000 Brussels, Belgium
This event is organised by EBCD in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
On 5 May, EBCD in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee will co-organise a high-level event to explore how the upcoming European Oceans Pact can advance global ocean sustainability at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3). With UNOC-3 set to convene in Nice in June 2025 under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean,” this event will provide a timely platform to address sustainable use of our ocean. The discussion will focus on the EU’s commitments to SDG 14 (Life Below Water), its leadership via the upcoming European Ocean Pact, promotion of blue foods, as well as synergies, trade-offs and opportunities between various blue economy sectors. As the EU finalises its European Ocean Pact, this event will bring together policy-makers, experts, and blue economy stakeholders to discuss how the Pact can enhance the EU’s contributions to UNOC-3. Special attention will be given to strengthening regional and sub-regional cooperation, advancing sustainable ocean-based blue economies, and promoting the role of sustainable food from the ocean for food security, nutrition and to achieve SDGs. The discussion will contribute to shaping the EU’s engagement at UNOC-3 and ensuring that the European Ocean Pact serves as a strategic tool for advancing ocean sustainability.
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Draft agenda:
Moderators: Alexandra Philippe & Ilias Grampas – EBCD
14.00 – 14.10 Introductory remarks:
- EESC member responsible for the opinion on the Ocean Pact, Javier Garat – presentation of the opinion
- Ilias Grampas – Deputy Director EBCD
14.10 – 14.40 Key notes:
- European Commission – Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Ocean (video message)
- European Parliament – Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (TBC)
- Presidency of the Council of the EU (TBC)
14.40 – 15.40 Panel 1: How to conciliate conservation and sustainable use of the Ocean to achieve SDG 14 through the Ocean Pact?
Moderator: Alexandra Philippe – EBCD
Presentation: The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, balancing conservation and sustainable development within planetary boundaries – A footprint for the Ocean Pact – CBD Secretariat (TBC)
Discussion:
- Christophe Tytgat – Secretary General of SEA Europe
- Rosalie Tukker – Europêche
- Béatrice Gorez – Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements
- Luisa Puccio – ECSA
15.40 – 16.10: Coffee Break
16.10 – 17.10 Panel 2: The Ocean Pact – Breaking the silos and addressing the trade-offs – How to ensure that all ocean ecosystem services (food security, energy security, health, etc) are considered in UNOC 3?
Moderator: Ilias Grampas – EBCD
Presentation: Maritime spatial planning and ecosystem-based approach to achieve SDG14 – Vanessa Stelzenmüller (Thünen Institute)
Discussion:
- Leonard Mizzi – Head of Unit Sustainable Agri-food systems and Fisheries at DG INTPA (European Commission)
- Pablo Cadarso – Data Intelligence and Market Analyst at Conxemar
- Szilvia Mihalffy – FEAP
- Mattia Cecchinato – Offshore Wind Manager at Wind Europe
- Jacob Armstrong – Manager on Ocean Policy at WWF European Policy Office
17.10 – 17.30 Closing remarks:
- DG MARE – Félix Leinemann (TBC)
- Alexandra Philippe & Ilias Grampas – EBCD
