Pedro Sánchez: Caring for the ocean will protect the 19 million Spaniards living in coastal areas of the country.

Nice (France), June 9 (EFEverde).- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Monday that taking measures to prevent ocean degradation is a way to protect the 19 million Spaniards living in coastal areas of the country, threatened by rising sea levels due to global warming.

"It is essential to ensure their resilience and sustainability, wherever they are located, on the continental coast, on the islands, or in peripheral regions, such as the Canary Islands," said Sánchez, during his speech at the launch of the European Ocean Pact at the UN Ocean Summit in Nice.

Spain, a pioneer in marine biodiversity treaties

In his brief speech in English, the Prime Minister recalled that Spain "has always demonstrated its firm commitment to maritime protection" and emphasized that it was the first country to ratify the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), approved by the UN in 2023.

Endorsing this treaty is one of the major objectives of the Nice Summit, which requires the approval of at least 60 countries for its entry into force. This would pave the way for protecting 30% of the ocean's surface.

From commitment to fulfillment: “a promise made in action”

Sánchez urged the European Union to maintain "a high level of ambition" in implementing the measures planned for 2027. "This pact must not just be a commitment on paper, but a promise made in action," he declared.

The president cited the fight against plastic pollution and the promotion of a temporary moratorium on deep-sea mining as Spanish priorities.

Spain was one of the 33 countries that signed a joint declaration on Monday to protect the seabed, supporting a precautionary pause in its exploitation, considering its resources "the common heritage of humanity."

Technology at the service of maritime control

Furthermore, Sánchez stressed the need for "solid observation systems" of the marine environment, such as drones, to monitor activities within Europe's maritime borders.