Ghana enthusiastically joined world leaders, scientists, and stakeholders at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, which is taking place in Nice, France, from June 9–13, 2025, in honor of World Oceans Day.
France and Costa Rica are co-hosting the conference, which has as its theme:
“Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.”
Under the direction of Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, a high-level Ghanaian delegation is present at the international event.
At the inauguration ceremony, the Ministers were accompanied by
Hon. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs
Hon. Kwame Dzudzoli Gakpey, Vice Chairman of the Committee
Hon. Isaac Yaw Opoku, Ranking Member of the Committee
Ghana’s robust attendance at the Conference is indicative of its ongoing commitment to preserving marine environments, encouraging sustainable fishing practices, and bolstering blue economy endeavors on a national and global scale.
A Global Call to Protect the Ocean
A key forum for advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which is concerned with the preservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources, is the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
The Conference aims to
Accelerate the implementation of SDG 14 through concrete and urgent actions
Strengthen global partnerships and build on existing legal and institutional frameworks
Encourage inclusive collaboration among governments, UN agencies, international organizations, financial institutions, academia, private sector actors, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities
Assess global progress and identify opportunities and challenges in achieving ocean sustainability
Powerful Messages from World Leaders
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the pressing moral need to preserve the ocean in his remarks at the opening ceremony, saying, “Protecting our ocean today is not just an ecological imperative but a moral one. Only through urgent and united action can we ensure a healthy, thriving planet for generations to come.”
He also urged the international community to strive toward the 30×30 target, which calls for the protection of 30% of the world’s ocean areas by 2030, and underlined the necessity of multilateral, science-led initiatives.
President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica made a strong plea, echoing these views and calling the ocean “the most vast and vital resource we share.” He said
“Without the ocean there would be no life on earth… I’m not being dramatic. Vision without action is just hallucination.”
Ghana’s Contribution to Ocean Governance Worldwide
Ghana’s attendance at this high-level conference demonstrates its leadership in ocean governance throughout Africa and its dedication to the growth of the blue economy, marine biodiversity protection, and climate-resilient fisheries management.
Being a coastal country, Ghana understands how important healthy oceans are to providing millions of its residents with resiliency, employment, and food.
Ghana will participate in side events, technical sessions, and diplomatic consultations to strengthen relationships for maritime sustainability as the week’s discussions progress.
Source: newsthemegh.com