Intervention by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, at the General Debate of the United Nations’ Oceans Conference

It is both an honour and a solemn responsibility to speak before you today, as we gather at a crucial moment for the future of our oceans. 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.

We meet here today, not only to reaffirm our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14, but to accelerate its implementation. Ambition must now be matched with action and measurable impact.

The adoption of the BBNJ Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework are milestones in this collective journey – to protect marine biodiversity. My country has fully endorsed both frameworks and ratified the BBNJ Agreement on 28 May 2025.

At the 2017 UN Ocean Conference, Cyprus made specific voluntary commitments. Today I am proud to report their successful implementation:

• We have mapped critical marine habitats across our coastal waters.
• We have assessed the distribution of cetacean populations using low-noise vessels, strengthening action against marine noise pollution.
• We have completed the first high-resolution mapping of the Eratosthenes Seamount, enhancing global understanding of Eastern Mediterranean deep-sea ecosystems.

Looking ahead, I am pleased to announce further commitments on the evolving priorities of our ocean community:

1. 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.
2. To complete comprehensive benthic habitat mapping down to 1,000 meters by 2030 – a pioneering initiative in Mediterranean deep-sea research.
3. To enhance regional cooperation through trilateral marine protection agreements, focusing on marine oil pollution response and broader ecosystem resilience.
4. To combat climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and the greater Middle East, within the framework of Cyprus’ Initiative, with projects envisioned to address the protection of the marine environment and the risks posed by sea level rise.

Last but not least, mindful of the lack of scientific certainty surrounding deep-sea mining, I have the honour to announce today 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.

Declarations alone are insufficient.

I am here today to call for stronger international collaboration in science and data-sharing, especially to support small and developing coastal states. Sound science must underpin sound policy.

Mobilising ocean finance and innovative financing is critical to scale up investment in support of a sustainable blue economy. For example, we are 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.

The ocean is one – vast, interconnected, and essential to life on Earth. It ensures food security, regulates the global climate, supports economies, safeguards biodiversity and shapes our identities. Its challenges transcend national boundaries – and so must our response. It is our shared responsibility. I hope that this Conference will be remembered not for declarations, but for impact: “ecosystems restored, communities empowered, and futures secured.”

My country stands ready – to lead regionally, collaborate globally, and champion a resilient, healthy ocean for all.

(RM/NZ/AS)

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