India, Norway discusses ocean governance, blue economy at UNOC3

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Marianne Sivertsen Ness, Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy.

They discussed wide range of issues concerning sustainable fisheries, marine resource management, sustainable fisheries, and the broader framework for the blue economy.

India and Norway reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on sustainable ocean governance and fisheries.

The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference currently underway in Nice, France.

They exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation in ocean governance and reflected on the long-standing partnership between India and Norway in the fisheries sector.

Both ministers also covered shared priorities such as sustainable use of marine resources, improved data sharing mechanisms, and joint efforts to tackle challenges like overfishing and marine pollution.

They acknowledged the significance of international cooperation to achieve the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), with an emphasis on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and technology sharing.

Ministers also explored opportunities to build on existing India-Norway collaborations, particularly in areas aligned with the development of a sustainable and inclusive blue economy.

The UNOC3 has brought together global leaders, scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss collective action towards ocean health, sustainable development, and climate resilience.

Jitendra Singh led the Indian delegation reflects the country’s commitment to play an active role in shaping the global ocean agenda, while also safeguarding the interests of coastal communities and promoting sustainable ocean-based livelihoods.

Global community is scaling up efforts to balance economic growth with marine conservation.

India-Norway dialogue is a step forward in reinforcing multilateral cooperation to ensure the long-term sustainability of ocean resources.