One billion from Europe for the health of the oceans

Brussels (ANSA) – At the third UN Conference on Oceans in Nice, over 60 world leaders issued a call to protect blue ecosystems and multilateralism, in stark – albeit implicit – contrast to Donald Trump’s announcement of a plan to initiate unilateral underwater extraction.

An opportunity for Europe to relaunch its ‘blue deal’ of one billion euros – 50 projects for marine protection, ocean science, and sustainable fishing – and the new digital ally, the ‘Digital Twin’ of the oceans, a virtual twin designed to monitor and better understand the health of the sea.

“We want to build a strong global alliance for the ocean,” declared Ursula von der Leyen, marking the European course for the blue future of the planet. The United States, notably absent from the Nice stage, was at the center of the attention and concerns of the leaders present, even though it was never mentioned directly.

“Without a healthy ocean, there can be no healthy planet. And the deep seas must not turn into a wild west,” warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres, issuing a clear warning against the reckless exploitation of the seabed. The Mediterranean plays a central role in maritime diplomacy, with Italy ready to lead the efforts in the coming months.

“In October 2026, we will host the first Euro-Mediterranean Forum on Water in Rome, where we will invite all European countries, including the Balkans,” indicated Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani from Nice, defining the Mediterranean as “a common space and destiny.” Also in the capital, next year, there will be a joint meeting of the Foreign and Environment Ministers of the Union for the Mediterranean, confirming Italy’s commitment “without pause for peace and growth.”