The Ocean Centre of Europe Jacques Delors serving a sustainable ocean: commitments and concrete actions
This session explored four key areas of UNOC: from the Starfish Mission to the European Ocean Pact, maritime decarbonisation, the stake of protecting Clipperton, and strengthening protection in Antarctica. It highlighted ongoing initiatives led by our Centre and its partners, offering practical insights into how ocean diplomacy can drive impact.
Geneviève Pons and Pascal Lamy moderated the session. They also made introductory remarks where they presented the Ocean Centre of Europe Jacques Delors, its experts, its work (publications and events), its ongoing projects and research themes, and its partners (Ocean5, Blue Nature Alliance, Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, Transport & Environnement, Oceano Azul Foundation).
1. From the Starfish Mission to the European Ocean Pact
In this first panel, Maria Cristina Pedicchio, Ivelina Vasileva and Ana Gavrilovic, as members of the manifesto’s stakerholder group and the Starfish mission, showcased concrete actions linked to the Starfish mission which could be pivotal instruments in the implementation of the EU Ocean Pact.
2. Decarbonising Maritime Transport
During this panel, Dan Hubbell and Fanny Pointet, leading voices in shipping and maritime transport, shared insights on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) framework and how it can be integrated within the existing EU law.
3. Protecting Clipperton: MPA expansion and strengthened protection status
The third panel was a spotlight on Clipperton with the French explorer Jean-Louis Étienne and Maël Imirizaldu who made an urgent call for further protection of this exceptional ecosystem.
4. Strengthening protection measures in Antarctica
In this final panel, former president of Costa Rica, José María Figueres, underscored the need for bold Antarctic conservation and the essential role the Antarctica2030 Coalition can play.
