Nice, France:India made a powerful pitch for urgent international action on ocean health at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), with Union Minister of Earth Sciences (Independent Charge), Dr. Jitendra Singh, urging the global community to adopt a robust ‘Nice Ocean Action Plan’. Addressing the high-level gathering, Dr. Singh unveiled India’s significant advances in deep-sea exploration, marine pollution control, sustainable fisheries, and ocean-based climate resilience.
The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, is being held under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean.” In his address, Dr. Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and called for international collaboration in safeguarding oceans, which he described as “our shared heritage and responsibility.”
India backed swift ratification of the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement and advocated for a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty, emphasizing the need for a coordinated international framework to address ocean degradation and plastic pollution.
A major highlight of India’s presentation was the launch of ‘SAHAV’, a digital ocean data portal designed to promote transparent, science-based ocean governance. Dr. Singh said the platform would help in monitoring marine ecosystems and guiding sustainable maritime activities.
India’s scientific aspirations took center stage with updates on the Deep Ocean Mission, particularly the upcoming ‘Samudrayaan’ project. The manned submersible, expected to be deployed by 2026, will allow exploration of ocean depths up to 6,000 meters, marking a transformative step in India’s ocean research capabilities.
Addressing marine pollution, Dr. Singh showcased achievements under the ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleaned over 1,000 km of coastline and removed more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste since 2022. India’s draft Marine Litter Policy is ready, and the country remains an active participant in ongoing global treaty negotiations.
India’s ecological restoration efforts include the revival of over 10,000 hectares of mangroves and adoption of nature-based solutions for shoreline management, enhancing the country’s climate resilience.
India has expanded Marine Protected Areas to 6.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone, contributing to global biodiversity goals. The country’s Blue Economy ambitions were also outlined, with over 600 infrastructure projects worth $80 billion under the Sagarmala Programme and $2.5 billion invested in the fisheries sector via the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Since the last Ocean Conference in 2022, India has seen a 10% increase in fish production and has established more than 1,000 fish farmer producer organizations, fostering sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.
India’s leadership in ocean governance was further cemented through its co-leadership in ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica, and active involvement in high-level sessions like the India-Norway side event on Marine Spatial Planning.
Calling for greater international investments in innovation and partnerships, Dr. Singh concluded, “India stands ready to work with all stakeholders—governments, private sector, civil society, and indigenous communities—to ensure a sustainable ocean future.”
