Azores strengthen leadership in ocean protection at UN Conference in Nice - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, began Tuesday his participation in the third United Nations Conference on the Oceans, which is taking place in Nice, an event attended by several international leaders and marine protection experts.

On the first day of the summit, the head of the Azorean Government had a busy schedule of multilateral and bilateral meetings. They focused on promoting the Azores as a global example of marine conservation, considering the pioneering role the Region has played in creating marine protected areas and developing a sustainable blue economy.

"The Azores are a living laboratory of what can be achieved when knowledge, political will and respect for nature come together," stated the President of the Government on the sidelines of the meetings.

He added: "We are ready to help other regions follow the same path."

One of the most important meetings of the day was with John Kerry, former Secretary of State of the United States of America and currently one of the most influential voices worldwide in the defence of the oceans and climate. The dialogue focused on the strategic role of the Azores in international cooperation for marine conservation.

“It was a candid and very enriching conversation, with John Kerry recognising the geographical and environmental importance of the Azores in the Atlantic and global context,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro.

The government official also participated in a thematic conference that brought together representatives from various nations and regions, including renowned explorer and oceanographer Sylvia Earle, a regular presence at global forums for the defence of the sea. 

The Azores' participation in this conference is part of a process that began in 2019 with the signing of the memorandum that gave rise to the Blue Azores programme, establishing the initial goal of protecting 15% of the archipelago's maritime area through fully protected Marine Protected Areas.

Two years later, under the leadership of the XIII Government of the Azores, this target was extended to 30% by 2023, anticipating national and international commitments in this area. In 2024, the approval of RAMPA — the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network — by the Legislative Assembly represented the formal establishment of this effort, making it the largest network of its kind in the North Atlantic.

"The sea is not just a landscape or a resource. It is identity, it is the future and it is responsibility. The Azores want to continue to be part of the solution," concluded the President of the Government.