Chinese Vice President Han Zheng outlined a four-point roadmap for sustainable ocean governance during his address at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, emphasizing global cooperation to protect marine ecosystems while balancing economic development.
A Shared Blue Future
Han invoked President Xi Jinping's vision of oceans as connectors rather than dividers, framing marine conservation as a collective responsibility. "The blue planet humans inhabit is not divided into islands by the oceans, but connected by the oceans to form a community with a shared future," he stated, urging nations to mark the UN's 80th anniversary by accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14).
Four Pillars for Action
1. Peaceful Oceans: Han called for adherence to international maritime rules and multilateralism to safeguard "the common heritage of mankind."
2. Prosperous Oceans: He advocated enhanced maritime connectivity and China-led partnerships to assist developing nations, particularly small island states, in achieving SDG14.
3. Inclusive Maritime Civilizations: The proposal emphasized respect for diverse maritime traditions and establishing dialogue platforms to foster equitable governance.
4. Clean Oceans: China pledged to leverage its Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to advance green maritime initiatives and support the BBNJ Agreement on deep-sea biodiversity.
Commitments in Motion
Han announced concrete measures including capacity-building programs for developing countries and collaboration with international organizations. These steps align with China's growing role in global environmental governance, offering potential opportunities for businesses and researchers focused on sustainable technologies.
