Speaking at the plenary session of the third United Nations Ocean Conference, in Nice, France, Luis Montenegro stated that within the scope of the goal of achieving 30% ocean protection by 2030, Portugal has also developed oceanographic campaigns to support new conservation areas and financial compensation mechanisms for fishermen affected by the ban on fishing activity in protected areas.

The Portuguese chief executive also recalled the approval of a moratorium on deep-sea mining until 2050, one of the main issues under discussion at this conference due to the impacts that extractive activity can have on the ocean.

Referring that the ocean is a central element of the country's history and geography, he reaffirmed the “commitment to multilateralism”.

“With over 97% of its territory made up of sea, it is with additional responsibility that we promote a sustainable relationship with the ocean,” he maintained.

Recalling that in 2022, Portugal organized, together with Kenya, the second Ocean Conference, the Prime Minister said that it was “a moment of political momentum for the conclusion of relevant international commitments, such as the BBNJ agreement [high seas treaty] or the goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.”

Therefore, at this conference that begins today, Montenegro believes that “the momentum” created at the Lisbon conference will be “continued.”

The goal is to implement Sustainable Development Goal 14 on ocean conservation, achieve the goal of 30% of protected area by 2030, bring into force the High Seas Treaty, and conclude a treaty against plastic pollution.

“These are fundamental measures for the health of the ocean and to stop the triple planetary crisis – climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss,” he stressed.

Luis Montenegro also said that the country recognizes “the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus” and advocates its strengthening within the scope of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. On this subject, he considered that COP30, in Belém, Brazil, will be an important step. He also alluded to the creation of the Emissions Control Zone in the Northeast Atlantic, important for the decarbonization of maritime transport. “Aware of the central importance of the sea for our common future, Portugal is betting on science as the foundation of political decisions,” said the Prime Minister, giving as an example that it was a pioneer in the creation of a Satellite Account for the Sea, integrating the ecological and social dimensions of the blue economy, invested in ocean observation with advanced technologies and is a founding member of the intergovernmental organization Mercator Ocean International.