President Nikos Christodoulides, emphasised the urgent need for international action to protect and sustainably manage the world’s oceans and assured that Cyprus will make the implementation of the EU Ocean Pact a top priority during its presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026.
On Monday, Christodoulides addressed the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, where he highlighted Cyprus’ ongoing commitment to marine conservation and outlined future plans to enhance regional cooperation, expand protected areas, and promote the sustainable blue economy.
He also spoke at the European Commission’s side event, where French President Emmanuel Macron said that if we want to fight illegal and uncontrolled fishing, if we want to defend our science, we must protect our exclusive economic zones.
According to sources, he said that we must not compromise when the territorial sovereignty of some of our partners is threatened and referred to “our Greek or Cypriot friends”.
He continued by saying that “we must protect our territorial waters and these maritime areas everywhere” and added that “the security and defence effort made by all Europeans, accompanied by the Commission, must incorporate the ocean element into its dimension.”
In his speech at the UN event, Christodoulides said the conference is taking place “at a pivotal moment for the future of our oceans”, noting that as a small island country, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, “Cyprus understands profoundly the vital connection between our oceans’ health and our people’s wellbeing, security, and prosperity”.
The President remarked that the adoption of the BBNJ Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework are milestones in this collective journey- to protect marine biodiversity and Cyprus “has fully endorsed both frameworks and ratified the BBNJ Agreement on 28 May 2025”.
Reminding that at the 2017 UN Ocean Conference, Cyprus made specific voluntary commitments, President Christodoulides said “today I am proud to report their successful implementation” and explained that Cyprus has “mapped critical marine habitats across our coastal waters”, assessed the distribution of cetacean populations using low-noise vessels, strengthening action against marine noise pollution and completed the first high-resolution mapping of the Eratosthenes Seamount, enhancing global understanding of Eastern Mediterranean deep-sea ecosystems.
Looking ahead, the President added, “I am pleased to announce further commitments on the evolving priorities of our ocean community” such as “to protect our coastal and marine areas, through expanded and better-managed Marine Protected Areas, contributing significantly towards the protection of 30% of European Seas”.
He also pledged Cyprus will “complete comprehensive benthic habitat mapping down to 1,000 meters by 2030 — a pioneering initiative in Mediterranean deep-sea research” and will “enhance regional cooperation through trilateral marine protection agreements, focusing on marine oil pollution response and broader ecosystem resilience”.
With projects envisioned to address the protection of the marine environment and the risks posed by sea level rise aims, the President said Cyprus stands “to combat climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the greater Middle East, within the framework of Cyprus’ Initiative”.
Addressing the issue of deep-sea mining, President Christodoulides announced that Cyprus joins the call for a precautionary pause on any deep-sea mining activities under the remit of the International Seabed Authority, until a robust regulatory framework is in place and until sufficient scientific evidence is available to demonstrate that such operations will not result in adverse impact to the marine environment.
Noting that “declarations alone are insufficient”, the President called “for stronger international collaboration in science and data-sharing, especially to support small and developing coastal states. Sound science must underpin sound policy”, he remarked.
Mobilizing ocean finance and innovative financing is critical to scale up investment in support of a sustainable blue economy, President Christodoulides said, and added that Cyprus is already advancing sustainable maritime transport, eco-tourism, aquaculture, and marine biotechnology — sectors that foster both economic growth and ecosystem protection.
“We do not lack ambition. What we now need is resolve to act”, he told leaders at the United Nations Oceans Conference.
The President underscored the interconnectedness of the ocean, describing it as “vast, interconnected, and essential to life on Earth,” and stressing that the challenges facing our oceans transcend borders. “It is our shared responsibility,” he said, “to restore ecosystems, empower communities, and secure futures.”
He reaffirmed Cyprus’ readiness “to lead regionally, collaborate globally, and champion a resilient and healthy ocean for all”, setting an ambitious tone for the conference and the future of marine conservation. The international community now faces the vital task of translating declarations into impactful actions to safeguard our blue planet, the President concluded.
In his speech at the European Commission event, Christodoulides said the European Ocean Pact is our Union’s comprehensive strategy to protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy, and support the well-being of coastal communities. Cyprus, he added, an island EU Member State, fully supports its objectives, and applauds the President of the Commission and Commissioner Kadis, for this strategic initiative.
“There is an undeniable reality we are facing. Ocean health is deteriorating due to climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. Cyprus, surrounded and blessed by the beauty and richness of the Mediterranean Sea, is witness to this challenge: rising sea levels, extreme weather, coastal erosion, and warming waters,” he continued.
The Ocean Pact, he said, offers a strategy to reverse this trend through collaboration between Member States, regions, and stakeholders.
“Recognising this urgency, Cyprus has led initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean and the greater Middle East, uniting scientists and policymakers on a regional action plan. We also support a dedicated sea basin strategy for the Eastern Mediterranean, given its ecological and economic importance” the President added.
He went on to say that “this is why we are proud to commit today to better protect our coastal and marine areas, through expanded Marine Protected Areas, contributing significantly towards the protection of 30% of European Seas”.
Furthermore, he said that Cyprus joined the call for a pause on any deep-sea mining activities under the remit of the International Seabed Authority, until a robust regulatory framework is in place and until sufficient scientific evidence are available to guarantee that there will be no adverse impact to the marine environment.
The Pact, he added, also aims to strengthen international ocean governance. “Cyprus proudly joined in ratifying the BBNJ Agreement and supports EU efforts against illegal fishing, ensuring fair competition for European fishers.”
The President said that the Pact places an emphasis on coastal communities. “With 40% of Europeans – and nearly all Cypriots – living near the sea, these communities are vital to our society and economy. By empowering them and promoting blue innovation, we can unlock the ocean’s full potential” he went on to note.
“With the Ocean Pact, the EU takes a strong stance for the oceans and a sustainable blue economy. Cyprus, holding the EU Presidency in the first half of 2026, will make its implementation a top priority,” the President of Cyprus concluded.
