"It is not the ocean that needs us - we are the ones who need it. Its breath regulates our climate, nourishes our economies, and inspires our cultures. But today, that breath is growing faint. And if we do not act, it may fall silent. Croatia stands ready, bilaterally, within the European Union, and on the global stage, to take decisive action so that the ocean may breathe once more. Let the ocean breathe so that life may thrive again, and humanity may catch its breath", said Prime Minister Plenković today at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference.
The conference took place in Nice, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in the plenary session on the topic "Let the ocean breathe - so that humanity can thrive". Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković accompanied the Prime Minister.
In his speech on the occasion, Prime Minister Plenković emphasized that this is critical juncture for the future of our oceans.
"In Lisbon, in 2022, we reaffirmed our shared responsibility and reignited a collective ambition: to safeguard the marine environment in the interest of both humanity and the planet.
Today, we are not merely gathered to assess our progress. We are here to intensify our commitment - to act with purpose and urgency.
We are here to open the lungs of our planet - to let the ocean breathe, so that life on Earth may continue to flourish.
Oceans in Crisis - A Planet Struggling for Breath
Our oceans are under siege from multiple, interwoven threats: climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and biodiversity loss.
They are gasping for air.
Marine ecosystems are deteriorating. Waters are becoming increasingly acidic. Fish stocks are in decline.
And the consequences are far-reaching: disrupted food chains, increased coastal vulnerability, economic instability, and the weakening of the ocean’s essential role in climate regulation.
For Croatia, this is not a distant concern it is a lived reality.
Nestled in the heart of the Adriatic, with over 1,200 islands and one of the most intricate coastlines in the Mediterranean, Croatia’s very identity is intertwined with the sea. It is our natural heritage, our economic engine, our cultural soul.
We are the guardians of the Adriatic - witnesses not only to its enduring beauty, but also to its growing fragility.
Over the past three decades, our oceans have absorbed the heat equivalent of five to six Hiroshima bombs - every second.
This vast accumulation of heat, though largely invisible, is disrupting ocean currents, decimating ecosystems, and pushing the climate system towards instability.
But the sea is not a bottomless sink. Its balance is faltering. Its resilience is finite.
And the time has come to let it breathe again.
Marine Protected Areas - Making Space for Life to Return
Today, I am proud to announce that Croatia has increased its marine protected areas from 12% to 32% of its maritime space.
Yet designation alone is not enough.
True protection must be dynamic, adaptive, and rooted in resilience.
To this end, we are preparing a national nature restoration plan - focused on rehabilitating degraded marine ecosystems.
Consider the Jabuka/Pomo Pit in the central Adriatic: within less than a decade, responsible management has allowed fish stocks to rebound. This is living proof that, when given space and time, the ocean can heal.
Blue Growth - An Economy in Harmony with Ecology
Sustainability is at the core of Croatia’s development model.
Ranked eighth globally among 193 countries in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, Croatia demonstrates that green and blue growth are not only compatible - they are mutually reinforcing.
Our GDP grew by 3.6% while we simultaneously reduced our ecological footprint.
By aligning our economic pulse with the ocean’s rhythm, we are building a future where prosperity and planetary health advance in tandem.
Fisheries - Feeding Without Depleting
Fisheries are a cornerstone of the Croatian economy, particularly for our small coastal communities.
But marine resources are not limitless.
We advocate for robust, science-based management, equitable regulation, and strong support for small-scale fishers - often the most vulnerable, yet most vital actors.
Croatia is an engaged member of regional fisheries management organisations and a staunch opponent of IUU fishing - illegal, unreported and unregulated - aligning with both EU and national priorities.
We have also endorsed the OECD Recommendation to eliminate harmful subsidies that contribute to IUU fishing.
Maritime Spatial Planning - Giving the Sea Its Space
Croatia is modernising its maritime spatial planning through an ecosystem-based approach, underpinned by digital technologies and an updated legal framework.
We champion sustainable coastal tourism, encouraging visitors and businesses to reduce their environmental impact.
We are also advancing offshore renewable energy and the decarbonisation of maritime transport - ensuring the ocean becomes a central part of the climate solution.
Maritime Safety - Protecting a Fragile Artery
Each year, more than 70 million tonnes of hazardous materials transit through the Adriatic Sea.
A single incident could have devastating human and ecological consequences.
This is why Croatia, in partnership with regional neighbours, is developing a transnational maritime safety network - including a new IMO resolution and a mandatory vessel reporting system in the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Maritime safety is not optional. It is essential.
Plastic Pollution - Unblocking the Ocean’s Arteries
Plastic waste is choking the ocean’s circulatory system.
From microplastics to drifting debris, we are suffocating the sea.
This is why we support the adoption of a bold, legally binding global treaty at the next session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee - one that addresses the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
Only by unblocking the ocean’s arteries can we restore its ability to breathe.
BBNJ Agreement - A Shared Response for a Shared Resource
In the face of the triple planetary crisis - climate, pollution, and biodiversity - national efforts must be matched by ambitious multilateral cooperation.
The High Seas Treaty - the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) - represents a historic opportunity to safeguard the high seas, the true lungs of our planet.
Croatia played an active role in the negotiations and is a strong proponent of the treaty’s rapid entry into force.
We have completed the ratification process and will shortly deposit our instrument of ratification.
The European Ocean Pact - Regional Leadership, Global Vision
We commend the European Commission and our fellow EU Member States for the European Ocean Pact, which positions the Union as a global leader in sustainable ocean governance.
But this leadership must spark a global movement - for the ocean knows no borders, and neither should our efforts.
Let the Ocean Breathe
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We do not own the ocean.
We depend on it.
It is not the ocean that needs us - we are the ones who need it.
Its breath regulates our climate, nourishes our economies, and inspires our cultures.
But today, that breath is growing faint.
And if we do not act, it may fall silent.
Croatia stands ready - bilaterally, within the European Union, and on the global stage - to take decisive action so that the ocean may breathe once more.
Let the ocean breathe - so that life may thrive again, and humanity may catch its breath."
European Ocean Pact - A New Opportunity for Ocean and Sea Conservation
After the plenary session, the Prime Minister participated in the presentation of the European Ocean Pact.
In his intervention, he emphasized that the Pact represents a necessary step in providing a comprehensive framework for coordinated action by all sectors and levels of governance.
"I believe that this strategic framework will provide a new momentum for ocean and sea conservation, especially within the European Union," he said.
He stated that one of the most important tasks of our time is to build a sustainable blue economy, adding that this sector in Croatia employs more than 140 thousand people and generates more than 3 billion euros in gross value added.
He singled out the first Croatian autonomous vessel Faust V., named after the Croatian inventor Faust Vrančić, a pioneer of the future of maritime innovation, which combines artificial intelligence, ecological sustainability and advanced digitalization to address the key environmental challenges.
We are ready to continue working together with European and global partners, the scientific community, the private sector and civil society on this transformative path to ensure innovative financing and technology sharing.
He stated that Croatia is one of the few European countries with a specific legislative framework dedicated to the development of islands.
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