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SOLUTIONS FOR THE OCEAN / THE BLUE ECONOMY | 29

Consequently, the Monaco Blue Initiative, which mo-
bilises the expertise of the main players involved in
ocean conservation and governance, but also in the
blue economy and finance, once again provided an
invaluable space for reflection on policy priorities in
terms of sustainability and responsibility. This edition
fully assumed its role as the nerve centre of global
strategic discussions on ocean-related issues.

“We need to scale up the implementation of na-
ture-based marine climate solutions to ensure carbon
sequestration, coastal protection and biodiversity sup-
port”, affirmed HE John Kerry, the US Special Pre-
sidential Envoy for Climate, called for concerted and
timely global action to “save the ocean”, showcasing
the United States’ positioning in regard to efforts to
decarbonise maritime transport, develop green ship-
ping corridors and adopt a United Nations High-Seas “For each of the themes discussed
Treaty. today – conservation, the blue
economy, ocean funding and
multilateral efforts – we need to adopt
Another key partner, the People’s Republic of China,
confirmed its commitment to “play an active role in dis- a collective approach, reconcile our
cussions on high-level protection of the marine environ- ambitions, strengthen political tools,
ment and global ocean governance”, assured Huang mobilise civil society as a whole so that
Runqiu, China’s Minister of Ecology and Environment. we can take action together without
The latter gave details of all the ocean measures im- delay."
plemented by China, such as the restoration of 1,200
kilometres of coastline and 23,000 hectares of coastal HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco
wetlands.

A position acknowledged by Belgium, highly involved
in conducting the High-Seas Treaty, confirming its faith
in blue diplomacy: “This is a period where multilate-
ralism needs to be reinforced”, declared Vincent Van
Quickenborne, Belgium’s Minister for the North Sea, “Our enemy is our
calling for a network of highly and fully protected areas, attitude. We need to fight
and stating that Belgium had already protected 37% of the status quo: this is
its share of the North Sea. essential for science and
our survival. We cannot
Moderated by BBC World News presenter, Yalda Ha- continue to live on a
kim, the three thematic sessions structured the discus- planet where the ocean
sion platform between representatives of governments is not governed. The
and international organisations, scientists, stakehol- ocean must become an
ders in finance and ocean-related industries, as well international priority
as members of civil society. In their keynote speeches, in our eyes."
government officials from the European Union, the
Seychelles, Tunisia and Costa Rica, also defended the HE John Kerry, United
vision for a sustainable ocean and gave an overview States Special Presidential
of their countries’ involvement in reaching international Envoy for Climate
objectives in regard to the protection of marine ecosys-
tems and reduction of the carbon impact.