The European Union and its Member States, in a statement delivered on 22 June 2026 at the 26th meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, urged greater international cooperation and investment in marine ecosystem restoration. Speaking on behalf of the EU, First Secretary Roderick Harte of the EU Delegation to the UN highlighted the accelerating degradation of marine habitats and biodiversity loss, and outlined a suite of EU initiatives aimed at rebuilding degraded ecosystems.
The EU welcomed the meeting's focus on marine ecosystem restoration, a theme it proposed in 2023. Harte noted that effective restoration strategies can enhance resilience, safeguard biodiversity, and mitigate climate change impacts. The EU has contributed EUR 20,000 to the trust fund for the Consultative Process this year.
Among the measures cited, the EU's Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters" provides EUR 4 million in technical assistance to up to 50 communities for transition agendas protecting ocean and freshwater ecosystems. Under Horizon Europe, EUR 20 million is invested in restoration science, including innovative active restoration of deep-sea habitats and hybrid blue-grey nature-based solutions.
The EU Nature Restoration Regulation sets restoration targets to 2050, requiring national plans to improve marine habitat condition and re-establish lost habitat types. These efforts are reinforced by the European Ocean Pact, which integrates EU ocean policies and includes provisions for maritime spatial planning, Marine Protected Areas, and blue carbon reserves, underpinned by a European Digital Twin Ocean operational by 2030.
Harte also highlighted the EU Ocean Observation Initiative OceanEye, which aims to strengthen marine knowledge value chains. The EU continues to encourage swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement to enable area-based management tools in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Other actions include the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, sustainable fisheries measures, support for Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, the Copernicus Marine Service, and strategic guidelines for low-trophic aquaculture. The EU is also advancing green shipping corridors under its Global Gateway Policy and developing market-based mechanisms to reward restoration outcomes.
Harte acknowledged that significant challenges remain, calling for greater investment and cooperation to expand access to restoration capacities and technologies. The EU's full submission is available on the DOALOS website.