The research infrastructure echoes the declaration’s call for bold G20 action for ocean stewardship
Oceans 20 (O20) – the first permanent engagement group formalised under the Brazilian presidency of the G20 recognising the central role of the ocean in global nature and climate agendas – has released its first Communiqué. The message calls for G20 Leaders to integrate the ocean into their climate, development, and trade agendas.
The European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) welcomes this Communiqué and echoes its call for bold G20 action for ocean stewardship. As a leading research infrastructure committed to advancing marine science and supporting a sustainable blue bioeconomy, EMBRC played a role in contributing to the document.
Promoting a sustainable and equitable ocean economy
The Communiqué outlines 10 priority themes and six actionable recommendations that promote a sustainable and equitable ocean economy, marine ecosystem conservation and restoration, strengthened ocean governance, social inclusion, science and innovation, public-private-philanthropic partnerships, accelerated ocean finance, and more.
“As an Ocean Dialogue event organiser who played a key role in contributing to the document, EMBRC is proud to share this important Communiqué,” says EMBRC’s Science Unit Manager, Alice Soccodato.
“Global communication and cooperation across all sectors is vital if we are to create a sustainable blue bioeconomy. We’re calling on G20 leaders to take these actionable recommendations onboard and put the ocean at the forefront of their climate, development, and trade considerations.”
The communiqué was drafted through a global and inclusive process of the Ocean Dialogues, which gathered over 6,000 participants from 34 countries and featured contributions from more than 300 international speakers. This extensive collaboration underscores the necessity for integrated efforts across sectors to better manage marine biodiversity and promote a sustainable future for our oceans.
EMBRC advocates for global leaders to play a critical role in managing marine biodiversity by introducing policies that address both protection and sustainable use of the ocean’s resources. We are calling for multilateral institutions to set more ambitious and measurable targets to encourage enhanced, standardised marine biodiversity data collection.
Enhancing marine biodiversity data
We are keen to highlight the disproportionate impact that the lack of marine biodiversity data has on local communities' ability to manage and protect ecosystems critical to their livelihoods. Without comprehensive data, policies may fail to address the specific needs of these communities, threatening both environmental sustainability and socio-economic wellbeing.
The gap between high-level policy advocacy and practical implementation strategies presents challenges in achieving tangible outcomes. Without effective mechanisms to collect, manage, and share ocean data, efforts to conserve marine biodiversity may fall short. EMBRC emphasises that a lack of access to high-quality, comprehensive ocean data has major consequences for decision-making and policy implementation.
So, what can global leaders do to enhance marine biodiversity data collection and use? EMBRC proposes that nations go beyond their declarations, urging leaders to implement policies that encourage public-private partnerships and investments in ocean observation technologies, ensuring the necessary resources are available to collect and share high-quality data. This approach would hold all stakeholders accountable for contributing to a comprehensive understanding of our oceans.
The importance of G20 action
G20 countries govern nearly half of the world’s coastline and are home to 60% of the world’s population. They are also responsible for 75% of global trade and accounted for 80% of global carbon emissions. As a result, they have a critical responsibility to promote a sustainable and equitable ocean economy. The ocean has been historically overlooked in global discussions – despite its assets being valued at an estimated USD $24 trillion – and the O20 Communiqué stresses the importance of engaging stakeholders from all sectors to prioritise the ocean.
Now is the time for decisive action — to lead, protect, and nurture the ocean that sustains us all. EMBRC stands ready to support these efforts through science, innovation, and collaboration, facilitating access to marine biodiversity, ecosystems and state-of-the-art research services in Europe.
