Plenary Session

Ministerial Meeting

SCIENCE: MORE SCIENCE FOR A BETTER BLUE ECONOMY

GREEN SHIPPING: LEADING THE REVOLUTION IN MARITIME TRANSPORT

PORT TECH CLUSTERS: CREATING AND FINANCING BLUE BUSINESS ACCELERATORS

MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE OCEANS MEETING 2018

DECLARATION ON BLUE CIRCULAR ECONOMY, GREEN SHIPPING AND PORT TECH CLUSTERS

We, the Ministers responsible for Ocean, Shipping, Ports and Maritime Affairs and observers having met in Lisbon, on September the 21^st, 2018, by invitation of the Portuguese Government through the Minister of the Sea of the Portuguese Republic, Mrs. Ana Paula Vitorino, in the framework of the Oceans Meeting 2018;

Recalling the declarations of the ministerial meetings of Oceans Meeting 2016 and 2017, held in Lisbon, in June 2016 and September 2017, promoting Human Health, Ocean Literacy & Culture, Ocean Science & Innovation and Blue Economy;

Reaffirming that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is of strategic importance as the basis for national, regional and global action and cooperation in the ocean and maritime sector;

Acknowledging that the ocean covers 71% of Earth’s surface, that it contains more than 90% of the planet’s biodiversity, that over 80% of the world’s trade is made by sea and that the ocean is a  fundamental regulator of the global climate;

Recognizing that the effects of the cumulative pressures that the ocean is experiencing, such as biodiversity loss, pollution, climate change and acidification, and other emerging challenges such as marine litter, or underwater noise, threaten the resilience of the oceans as well as the ecosystem services that marine ecosystems provide to human beings, and thus in the end, compromise the potential for a Sustainable Blue Economy, as one of the various approaches to sustainable development;

Further recognizing that we are highly dependent on the ocean, and that the ocean and its resources are indispensable to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted at the United Nations General Assembly, on 25 September 2015;

Reaffirming that Sustainable Blue Economy has the potential to shape the way of doing business with zero pollution caused by waste and low emissions, providing a sustainable and competitive business framework – based on innovations that can help us attain economic, social and environmental benefits;

Welcoming, in this regard, the Call for Action of the United Nations Ocean Conference, held in New York, from 5 to 9 June 2017, to support the Implementation of SDG 14 and the commitment made by the Portuguese Republic to co-host, with the Republic of Kenya, the next UN Ocean Conference, to take place in Portugal,  in 2020;

Recalling the purpose of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to ensure ocean science can support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean;

Acknowledging that  scientific knowledge of the ocean and its biodiversity is an important prerequisite for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity and that, therefore, ocean observation is essential, including data collection, mapping, modelling and assessment of marine biodiversity and its ecosystem services;

Recalling the adoption and early entry into force of the Paris Agreement negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), while recognizing the importance of building awareness and knowledge on the adverse impacts of climate change on the Ocean, particularly in the marine environment, marine biodiversity and sea level rise;

Noting, in this regard, that the ocean has now absorbed about a third of anthropogenic CO2 emitted into the atmosphere since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and that the continual absorption of CO2 increases acidity levels, combined with the warming of the oceans, will greatly impact the capacity of our seas to sustain the level and quality of ecosystem services it provides;

Welcoming the adoption of United Nations General Assembly resolution 72/249,  of 24 December 2017  convening an intergovernmental conference to elaborate the text of  an International legally binding instrument under the UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction with a view to developing the instrument as soon as possible;

Acknowledging the vital role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the global standard setting authority of international shipping and the promotion of “safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping through cooperation”;

Recognizing, in this regard, the IMO’s progress in the adoption of the initial IMO strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, including the aim to reduce the total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, by at least 50% by 2050, aiming to phase such emissions out as soon as possible in this century;

Also recalling the entry into force of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments 2004, on the 8^th September 2017 as well as IMO’s continuous efforts to address marine environment issues through the implementation of its relevant multi-lateral environmental instruments;

Recognizing the vital role of the ocean for sustainable development and the need for sustainable ocean-based economies including fisheries, tourism, aquaculture, maritime transportation, shipping, sea ports, renewable energies and marine biotechnology to achieve the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development;

Stressing the need to make the best use of the potential of the Sustainable Blue Economy to promote economic growth, job creation and investments, whilst safeguarding a healthy ocean;

Recognizing the need to invest in human capital, improve education, training and scientific capacity and skills development in order to promote the creation of sustainable jobs;

Acknowledging that, in all levels of development, science, technology and innovation will play a crucial role both in addressing many of the ocean-related environmental challenges and in the development of ocean-based activities for a sustainable long-term development;

Having decided on the importance of promoting regional and international cooperation, in order to mobilize strong and more ambitious governance in ocean affairs by Governments, civil society, industry, universities, research centres and NGO’s and all other relevant stakeholders, agree to strengthen ocean governance in particular, regarding the following areas:

BLUE CIRCULAR ECONOMY (1)

Affirming that we share the political responsibility for the promotion of the Blue Circular Economy in its multiple dimensions, namely:

1. Acknowledging that Blue Circular Economy embraces efficiency of resources, reduced waste and sustainability;
2. Further recognizing that Blue Circular Economy strengthens competitiveness by lowering costs and pursues effective economies of scale, generating more value and multiple benefits (including social and environmental) with locally available resources;
3. Recognizing the importance of the regulation of ocean activities, focusing on the integration of emerging ocean industries into existing regulatory frameworks;
4. Acknowledging that Blue Circular Economy involves supporting public/private and inter-firm cooperation and partnerships for the promotion of a more efficient and sustainable use of public and private resources and competences;
5. Also acknowledging the role of the private sector, including small and medium enterprises, in the development of the Blue Circular Economy, as crucial actors in policy dialogue, innovation, jobs and wealth creation, as well as in the promotion of international trade and investment within a sustainable approach;
6. Recognizing the urgent need to address marine litter, an avoidable pollution and an issue of growing concern;
7. Affirming that it is important to foster established and emerging sustainable ocean-based industries and activities simultaneously, with increased actions to ensure healthy, productive and resilient marine ecosystems through innovative and multidimensional approaches, consistent with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, in the Convention on Biological Diversity, and in other international, regional and sectorial agreements;
8. Also affirming that exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of the seabed and subsoil and potential sources of ocean renewable energy, blue biotechnology, observing systems, should be performed in a sustainable manner and should contribute to both ocean conservation and to a sustainable ocean-based economy while avoiding negative impacts;
9. Recognizing the need for improved coordination, coherence and convergence of the regional and global initiatives and projects related to Blue Circular Economy, with the aim of optimising efforts and sharing information, taking advantage of the potential synergies in the implementation of SDG14 with other Goals of the 2030 Agenda;

GREEN SHIPPING (2)

Affirming that green shipping represents efficient maritime transport with reduced health and environmental damage;

10. Acknowledging that the main challenges for the maritime community are, amongst others, to reduce GHG emissions from ships, the reduction of emissions of air pollutants contained in ships exhaust gas, in particular the 2020 sulphur content requirement for marine fuel oils, the preservation of marine biodiversity and minimization of the transfer of invasive aquatic species by ships , the implementation of a zero tolerance policy to maritime litter production and the issue of underwater anthropogenic noise;
11. Recognizing that setting worldwide GHG emission reduction targets for international shipping is essential to guide discussions on concrete measures to drive innovation and investments in new technologies and low-carbon or zero-carbon fuels;
12. Affirming that technological innovation and the global introduction of alternative fuels and/or energy sources for international shipping will be essential to achieve a more sustainable path with a view to reduce ship emissions of pollutants to air and water as well as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as laid down in the Initial IMO GHG Strategy and in line with the Paris Agreement;
13. Strongly affirming that actions taken with regard to the reduction of GHG emissions from ships should be in line with the Initial IMO Strategy and the Paris Agreement;
14. Stressing the importance of the technical cooperation and the transfer of technology related to improving of energy efficiency of ships, in particular to developing countries, as per the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 65, May 2013);
15. Also affirming that digital solutions and data sharing can play a key role to better enforce international regulations;
16. Encouraging action plans to address marine litter from ships as part of a global solution within the framework of ocean governance;
17. Reinforcing the need to develop and promote training in the digital age, through cooperation with other countries, in particular SIDS and LDCs, by supporting knowledge sharing;
18. Encouraging capacity-building for a sustainable shipping industry as a key instrument for the improvement of coastal and ocean management, paying particular attention to the needs of other countries, in particular SIDS and LDCs;
19. Recognizing that improving the efficiency of port operations and activities can facilitate the reduction of GHG emissions from shipping;
20. Further recognizing that ports can play an important role not only in promoting the use of alternative energy and fuels in maritime transport and supply chains, but also in the improvement of the environmental performance of supply chains;

PORT TECH CLUSTERS (3)

Affirming that Ports should go beyond their traditional core activities and should take the lead in being in the frontline for the development of a Sustainable Blue Economy;

21. Acknowledging that developing the Sustainable Blue Economy means developing new technology that is able to deliver innovative, efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions, creating new paths for a sustainable, secure and clean growth;
22. Acknowledging the need for deploying public policies that support the creation of Port Tech Clusters, using ports as innovation acceleration platforms for developing ocean advanced and sustainable industries, integrated in global value chains;
23. Affirming that Port Tech Clusters can work as innovation systems that will leverage science and R&D by creating start-ups and modernizing mature industries, fostering blue entrepreneurship and growth for a sustainable Blue Economy;
24. Recognizing the need for investing in public policies that develop highly skilled workforce, innovative industry and cutting edge science, for creating a stream of excellence that supports the development of Port Tech Clusters that deliver sustainable business solutions;
25. Acknowledging cooperation for promoting policies that foster international and bilateral cooperation agreements between Port Tech Clusters, in order to create networks of acceleration platforms for the Sustainable Blue Economy;
26. Recognizing the need for implementing innovative financial mechanisms specialized in the Sustainable Blue Economy, in partnership with the private sector, for assuring a functional investment scheme which promotes sustainability and sound risk management for the Port Tech Clusters network.