Stronger marine cooperation stressed

Global ocean experts called on Thursday for stronger international cooperation to translate agreements into tangible results, acknowledging China's experience in marine restoration and governance as a valuable contribution to this shared effort.

"The ocean faces pressures that are increasingly interacting with each other: climate change, unsustainable fishing, pollution, habitat degradation, invasive species and other pressures," said Grethel Aguilar, director-general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Aguilar made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 21st World Ocean Week in Xiamen, Fujian province. The event is themed "Safeguard the Deep Blue Together, Foster Human-Ocean Harmony".

Aguilar noted that while the numbers of coral reefs, sharks and rays are shrinking, mangroves have shifted from net loss to net gain, indicating that the problem is "not whether recovery is possible", but whether it can be achieved at the speed and scale required, and with the scientific rigor needed.

"Xiamen and Fujian have a long record of working with the sea rather than against it, from coastal wetland and mangrove restoration to the marine science now advancing at the Fujian Ocean Innovation Center. This is the kind of practical, science-based approach that the ocean needs," she said.

Aguilar emphasized the significance of implementing the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, or the BBNJ Agreement, which took effect this January. This marks the first time that the international community has established a comprehensive and legally binding framework specifically aimed at conserving and sustainably utilizing biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

"A treaty does not protect the ocean simply because it entered into force. Its provisions must become effective institutions, decisions and actions," she said, stressing accessible financing and capacity building, particularly for developing countries.

Jose Maria Figueres, former president of Costa Rica, echoed Aguilar's views, emphasizing that the success of agreements should be measured by the results achieved.

"With its scientific capabilities, technological innovation and international influence, China can help shape a new era of ocean governance, where science guides decisions and cooperation bridges geopolitical differences," he added.

Figueres expressed strong support for Xiamen's candidacy to host the BBNJ Secretariat, suggesting that along with becoming the headquarters of an international institution, the city would also become a global center for ocean science, diplomacy and practical conservation solutions.

Sun Shuxian, vice-minister of natural resources, expressed China's willingness to share its progress with developing countries. This includes organizing joint international deep-sea expeditions, providing professional training on the international law of the sea, and helping developing countries enhance their environmental monitoring and implementation capacity.

"We should firmly support multilateralism, uphold the international system centered on the United Nations, and jointly foster a fairer and more equitable global order for deep-sea governance," he said.