Making Blue Growth cool
Island nations control vast ocean areas. They share a responsibility for and a commitment to the health of our oceans and are key players in the global ocean agenda. Ocean areas and marine resources also provide great opportunities for sustainable growth.
Large Ocean Nations Forum on Blue Growth
The Forum discussed co-operation between these nations in a global perspective, based on the firm belief in stronger bonds between Large Ocean Nations from the global North and South.
Discussions focused on high value creation and value chains in areas such as under-utilised marine resources, small-scale high-value seafood production for export, fashion products made from marine materials, health and other industrial applications of ocean products, and research co-operation and capacity.
It was emphasised that the many challenges and opportunities shared by Large Ocean Nations provide a solid foundation for even stronger co-operation between these nations in a global perspective.
Recruiting women and youth into all aspects of the seafood industry is essential for realising the full potential of blue growth in the sustainable development of ocean nations.
Recruiting women and youth is essential
Thorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Iceland’s Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture underlined at the roundtable discussion that “Recruiting women and youth into all aspects of the seafood industry is essential for realising the full potential of blue growth in the sustainable development of ocean nations.”
High-level participants also underlined the enhanced focus on ocean governance and sustainability at international level. José Filomeno Monteiro, Ambassador of Cape Verde to the EU, said that “No ocean-related forums, regulations or operations should be legitimate without the participation of Large Ocean Nations. Large Ocean Nations must speak with one voice.”
The Faroe Islands are committed to working towards further meetings of Large Ocean Nations in the future.Making Blue Growth cool
Participants expressed their support for the Forum’s overall recommendations, including building effective collaboration and partnerships, creating institutions that nurture Blue Growth, engaging society and consumers and making Blue Growth cool.
“The Faroe Islands are committed to working towards further meetings of Large Ocean Nations in the future”, said Høgni Hoydal, Minister of Fisheries of the Faroe Islands. He concluded the roundtable discussion by announcing that the Faroe Islands will host a fringe event at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations’ Committee of Fisheries meeting in 2018 to follow up on the Forum.
The participants in the Large Ocean Nations Forum on Blue Growth in Malta, were Cape Verde, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Grenada, Iceland, Malta, Mauritius, Norway, Papua New Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Vanuatu and the European Union.
Large Ocean Nations’ Forum on Blue Growth opens in Malta (FAO)
