NewKerala.com

Key Points

India is making significant strides in global ocean governance at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France. Union Minister Jitendra Singh is leading diplomatic efforts to enhance international collaboration in marine science and observation technologies. The conference focuses on critical challenges like sea level rise, marine pollution, and biodiversity preservation. India's extensive coastline and strategic positioning make it a key player in advancing sustainable ocean management and climate research.

Key Points: India Leads Global Ocean Cooperation at UN Conference in Nice

  • India commits to satellite and in-situ ocean monitoring technologies
  • Enhancing global ocean governance in Indo-Pacific region
  • Addressing climate challenges through multilateral cooperation
  • Promoting sustainable marine resource management
2 min read

India bats for stronger cooperation at UN Ocean Conference in Nice

India's Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh advocates for advanced ocean observation and blue economy strategies at UN Ocean Conference

"Strengthening ocean observation infrastructure is crucial not only for better climate prediction but also for unlocking the economic potential of the blue economy - Jitendra Singh"

Nice, June 9

Pushing for stronger global ocean cooperation at the UN Ocean Conference here, India’s Union Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh and the UNESCO emissary Vidar Helgesen on Monday held a bilateral discussion on Monday with India expressing commitment to contribute through both satellite-based technologies and in-situ observation systems.

Leading the Indian delegation to the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice in France, Singh held bilateral discussions with Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.

The meeting centred around enhancing global ocean observation capabilities, with India expressing its commitment to contribute through both satellite-based technologies and in-situ observation systems, an official statement by the Indian government said.

Speaking during the interaction, Singh highlighted India’s efforts to improve scientific understanding of the Indian Ocean, particularly in the context of climate studies and monsoon forecasting.

“Strengthening ocean observation infrastructure is crucial not only for better climate prediction but also for unlocking the economic potential of the blue economy,” he noted.

Helgesen, in turn, encouraged India to play a more active role in contributing to the IOC’s global coordination mechanisms, particularly in the areas of data sharing, ocean services, and regional observation efforts.

The conversation underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing challenges such as sea level rise, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss.

India’s participation at the UNOC3 comes at a time when coastal states are increasingly recognizing the strategic and economic value of oceans.

With its extensive coastline and significant dependence on the monsoon cycle, India is positioning itself as a key player in global ocean governance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, brings together heads of state, ministers, scientists, and civil society leaders to discuss ways to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 -- to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

Union Minister Singh is expected to participate in a series of multilateral engagements during the week, underlining India’s priorities in marine science, capacity building, and equitable access to ocean data.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Great to see India taking leadership in ocean research! Our monsoon prediction systems have improved so much in recent years. Hope this cooperation helps coastal communities with better early warnings. 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
While international cooperation is good, I hope we're also investing enough in our own marine research institutes. Our fishermen communities need localized data more than global reports.
A
Arjun S.
The blue economy potential is huge for India! From sustainable fishing to marine tourism and renewable energy. But first we must clean our beaches - visited Goa last month and the plastic waste was shocking 😔
S
Sunita R.
Proud of our ISRO's satellite capabilities being recognized globally! Ocean monitoring from space is such a smart approach. Hope this data will help predict cyclones better and save lives in coastal areas.
V
Vikram J.
India should focus more on the Indian Ocean region first - we have enough challenges here with Chinese naval presence and illegal fishing. Global cooperation is good but regional security comes first.
N
Neha P.
Ocean conservation is not just about technology - we need to revive traditional knowledge too. Our coastal communities have centuries of wisdom about marine ecosystems that modern science often ignores.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50