Nice: Bahrain is making significant strides on the international stage with its active participation in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, which is being held in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13, 2025. The Bahraini delegation is led by Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, and Hamad Yaqoub Al Mahmeed, Director General of the Prime Minister's Office. The delegation also includes Essam Abdulaziz Al Jassim, Bahrain's Ambassador to the French Republic.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the conference is co-chaired by the French Republic and the Republic of Costa Rica under the theme 'Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.' It gathers a diverse array of participants, including government representatives, UN and non-governmental organizations, financial and research institutions, and civil society organizations.
Minister Al Mubarak highlighted that under the guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and directives from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Bahrain continues to implement plans that align with its national development goals. These plans emphasize enhancing environmental security through initiatives such as the National Action Plan 'Blueprint Bahrain,' targeting carbon neutrality by 2060.
He further reiterated Bahrain's commitment to international efforts in combating climate change and protecting natural resources, including seas and oceans. The cooperation between Bahrain and various United Nations organizations has been fruitful in advancing environmental sustainability. The minister underscored Bahrain's dedication to adopting best practices for a sustainable future.
The conference's primary goal is to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14, which is centered on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. It aims to raise awareness of ocean-related challenges, share lessons learned, and enhance cooperation among governments to protect marine environments. Discussions cover combating plastic pollution, reducing overfishing, and establishing marine protected areas.
Additionally, the conference seeks to adopt a declaration on ocean conservation and launch the 'Nice Ocean Action Plan' to further efforts in ocean preservation and sustainable use.