Prime Minister Støre to co-chair international Ocean Panel

‘Norway is an international leader in ocean management. The Ocean Panel is an important initiative launched by Norway to achieve sustainable ocean management worldwide, and we must work together with our partners to translate our ambitions into action,’ said Mr Støre.

The countries represented on the High-level Panel have announced their commitment to sustainably manage 100 % of the ocean areas under their national jurisdiction by 2025. This will mean that close to 40 % of the world’s coastlines and 30 % of all exclusive economic zones will be covered by integrated management plans.

The Panel also recognises the key role of the oceans in climate-related efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and will take advantage of COP26 to place this on the international climate agenda.

‘The oceans are a common good and are of crucial importance for human and planetary health, for the climate and food security, for local job markets and for the global economy. We must promote clean and healthy oceans to ensure that the oceans can continue to fulfil their critical role in meeting our needs,’ said Prime Minister Støre.

The Ocean Panel was established in 2018 and comprises heads of state and government from 14 countries. The Norwegian Prime Minister and the President of Palau have co-chaired the Panel from the start.

‘The Ocean Panel member countries are working to promote sustainable management in their respective ocean areas, but this is no easy task. We will make use of the meetings in Glasgow to raise awareness of the potential role that the oceans can play in climate-related efforts, and to get more coastal states on board,’ Mr Støre said.

Mr Støre succeeds former Prime Minister Erna Solberg as co-chair of the Ocean Panel.