Joint Conclusion of High Level Dialogue on Integrated Approach to Ocean Affairs (22/10/2015)

JOINT CONCLUSION OF HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE ON INTEGRATED APPROACH TO OCEAN AFFAIRS BETWEEN WANG HONG, ADMINISTRATOR OF STATE OCEANIC ADMINISTRATION OF PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND KARMENU VELLA, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR ENVIRONMENT, MARITIME AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES

Wang Hong, Administrator of the State Oceanic Administration of the People’s Republic of China, and Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries met and held the High Level Dialogue on an integrated approach to Ocean Affairsin Beijing on 13th October 2015.

Administrator Wang Hong expressed his warm welcome to Commissioner Vella and his delegation and highlighted the existing close cooperative relation between China and European Union on ocean affairs.

Administrator Wang Hong and Commissioner Karmenu Vella used this High Level Dialogue, their first since each took up their respective positions overseeing maritime affairs in China and European Union, to inform each other on the latest developments in their respective domestic ocean policy. Commissioner Vella presented the objectives of the EU's Blue Growth policy which aims to support smart sustainable growth in the maritime economy while ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources. Administrator Wang presented the core concepts and development of Blue Economy in China which constitute four basic approaches aiming at achieving integrated and simultaneous development of economy, society and environment.

Administrator Wang Hong and Commissioner Karmenu Vella reaffirmed their interest in reinforcing their concrete cooperation on ocean affairs between China and EU and discussed how global ocean governance can be improved.

Administrator Wang and Commissioner Vella agreed that their services would develop an action plan for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on an integrated approach to ocean affairs that was concluded between the European Commission and the People's Republic of China in 2010.  This Plan of Action would constitute a step forward in further developing a partnership between the EU and China in ocean affairs.

Administrator Wang and Commissioner Vella emphasised that better ocean governance is one of their top priorities. Commissioner Vella has therefore launched a public consultation on ocean governance with a view to look at whether the existing international instruments and processes offer the right governance framework to address today's challenges.