The EU Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, adopted a Joint Communication proposing actions for safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed oceans.

The global ocean economy is estimated at €1.3 trillion. Climate change, poverty and food security are some of the global challenges that can be effectively addressed, if oceans are better protected and sustainably managed.

The Joint Communication adopted today addresses the multiple international threats and challenges oceans are facing today such as piracy, crime, trafficking in human beings, climate change, food security, poverty.

It comprises 14 sets of actions in three priority areas:

1. Improving international ocean governance framework

2. Reducing human pressure on the oceans and creating the conditions for a sustainable blue economy

3. Strengthening international ocean research and data

The proposed actions will now be discussed with the EU Member States in the Council and the European Parliament.

Today's initiative aims at linking internal and external security dimensions of good ocean governance. It is an integral part of the EU's response to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 14 ‘to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources'.