Portugal and Fiji Rally Global Partners to Shape the Future of Ocean Governance
The Portuguese Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted a meeting of the Group of Friends of Ocean and Seas – co-chaired by Portugal and Fiji – to reflect on recent developments and priorities for upcoming ocean governance processes. The discussion focused on the outcomes of the Ocean Pioneers Coalition meeting recently held in Lisbon, the third session of the BBNJ Preparatory Commission (PrepComm3), and expectations for the 31st session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly in July, as well as the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the BBNJ Agreement next year.
The meeting brought together representatives from 32 countries at the level of Permanent Representatives and Deputy Permanent Representatives, as well as Legal Advisers. This broad participation underscored the growing engagement around ocean governance at the multilateral level.
Participants reaffirmed the central role of UNCLOS and emphasized the need to maintain and build momentum toward universal participation in the BBNJ Agreement
The Group also highlighted the importance of improving coherence and coordination across the various ongoing ocean-related processes.
There was clear interest among participants in continuing these exchanges within the Group of Friends framework. The co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining dialogue and announced their intention to convene another meeting in the coming months.
