New Delhi: In a significant step towards global ocean sustainability, India successfully hosted the Second Blue Talks on May 20, 2025, at Prithvi Bhawan in New Delhi. Organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, in collaboration with the Embassies of France and Costa Rica in India, this high-level event served as a crucial milestone in the lead-up to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled to take place in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13, 2025. The Second Blue Talks brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including leading scientists, policymakers, global representatives, and experts from government, academia, industry, and civil society, to discuss and accelerate commitments for the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources.
This event builds on the success of the inaugural Blue Talks held in February 2024 and aligns with the core themes of UNOC3, Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), and the UN Ocean Decade. With India’s vast coastline, rich marine biodiversity, and expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the country is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the global blue economy. The Second Blue Talks underscored India’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance, fostering international collaboration, and driving innovative solutions for long-term ocean health.
Leadership and Collaboration at the Forefront
The Second Blue Talks was chaired by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Néstor Baltodano Vargas, Ambassador of Costa Rica to India, and Mr. Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy. The event’s leadership highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges facing the world’s oceans. Dr. Ravichandran emphasized the need for comprehensive ocean resource mapping, the development of cutting-edge technologies, strong policy interventions, and significant investment in human capital to achieve the objectives of SDG 14 and the UN Ocean Decade. He stated, “To truly achieve SDG 14 and the goals of the UN Ocean Decade, we must prioritise comprehensive ocean resource mapping, develop cutting-edge technologies, implement policy interventions, and invest in building robust human capital for our marine future.”
Ambassador Vargas echoed this sentiment, noting the event’s role in strengthening collaboration between nations. He remarked, “This event will significantly strengthen collaboration between our nations, driving concrete action towards SDG 14.” Mr. Damien Syed highlighted the importance of India’s engagement ahead of UNOC3, particularly in light of the country’s recent ratification of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. He stressed the value of gathering expert perspectives from India’s ocean science community, stating, “As India progresses with the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and with UNOC3 on the horizon this June, this is a crucial moment to gather profound perspectives from India’s leading ocean experts.”
Launch of the White Paper: A Roadmap for India’s Blue Economy
A major highlight of the Second Blue Talks was the launch of a white paper titled Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth. Developed in collaboration with MoES’s strategic knowledge partner, the white paper serves as a strategic framework to align government efforts, foster cross-sectoral synergies, and attract greater investment to unlock the potential of India’s ocean resources. As the nodal agency for the implementation of the blue economy in India, MoES has been actively working to enhance the visibility and effectiveness of blue economy initiatives across the nation.
The white paper underscores the critical role of India’s vast marine resources, including its extensive coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone, as engines of national progress. It reflects contributions from 25 central ministries, as well as coastal states and union territories, building on commitments made during India’s G20 Presidency and the Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy. These efforts are further aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat vision for 2047, which emphasizes sustainable economic development.
The report acknowledges significant progress in key sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, marine tourism, offshore energy, and marine biotechnology. It highlights key government initiatives like the Sagarmala Programme, the Deep Ocean Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, which aim to boost maritime infrastructure, promote sustainable fishing practices, and responsibly explore ocean resources. By balancing economic development with ecological sustainability, India seeks to harness its ocean potential to support national growth, climate resilience, and regional cooperation.
Addressing Challenges and Showcasing Opportunities
While recognizing India’s advancements in ocean-related sectors, the white paper also identifies several challenges that need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of the blue economy. These include limited inter-agency data sharing, low private investment, and technological gaps, particularly in emerging areas such as offshore wind energy and deep-sea exploration. The report calls for a unified and coordinated approach to overcome these impediments, offering pragmatic interventions to bridge the gaps.
To illustrate the potential for sustainable growth, the white paper presents scalable and replicable models from across India. Notable examples include women-led seaweed farming initiatives, which empower local communities while promoting sustainable aquaculture, smart port development projects that enhance maritime infrastructure, and green ship recycling practices that combine economic benefits with environmental sustainability. These models demonstrate how India can achieve economic growth while preserving its marine ecosystems, serving as a blueprint for other nations to follow.
Stakeholder Consultations: Four Key Themes for Ocean Sustainability
The core of the Second Blue Talks was a dynamic multi-stakeholder consultation session focused on four key themes essential for long-term ocean sustainability:
- Conservation, Sustainable Management, and Restoration of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: Discussions centered on protecting and restoring India’s marine and coastal ecosystems, which are critical for biodiversity and climate resilience.
- Ocean Science, Marine Technology, and Education for Ocean Health: Stakeholders emphasized the need for increased scientific cooperation, knowledge building, and education to enhance ocean health and drive innovation in marine technology.
- Prevention and Reduction of Marine Pollution from Land-Based and Other Sources: The session addressed the urgent need to reduce marine pollution, particularly from land-based activities, to protect ocean ecosystems and ensure their long-term sustainability.
- Integrating Ocean, Climate, and Biodiversity Priorities Through Holistic Approaches: Participants explored ways to leverage the interconnectedness of ocean, climate, and biodiversity to develop holistic strategies for sustainable development.
These themes formed the foundation of in-depth dialogues and collaborative problem-solving, generating innovative ideas and actionable commitments to support the goals of UNOC3 and the UN Ocean Decade. The discussions highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing the complex challenges facing the world’s oceans, from pollution and habitat loss to climate change and biodiversity decline.
India’s Role in Global Ocean Governance
India’s hosting of the Second Blue Talks underscores its growing leadership in global ocean governance. With its vast coastline and rich marine biodiversity, India is uniquely positioned to contribute to the sustainable management of ocean resources. The country’s active participation in international frameworks, such as the UN Ocean Decade and the BBNJ Agreement, reflects its commitment to addressing global challenges through cooperation and innovation.
The Second Blue Talks also builds on India’s legacy of environmental leadership, including its G20 Presidency in 2023, during which the Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy were adopted. These principles provide a roadmap for balancing economic development with ecological sustainability, a goal that remains at the heart of India’s blue economy initiatives.
Looking Ahead to UNOC3 and Beyond
The Second Blue Talks served as a critical preparatory event for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and fostering collaborative solutions, the event has set the stage for impactful discussions at UNOC3. India’s contributions, including the insights gathered from its ocean science community and the strategic framework outlined in the white paper, will play a key role in shaping the global agenda for ocean sustainability.
As the world faces mounting challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss, events like the Second Blue Talks highlight the importance of collective action. India’s leadership in this space not only strengthens its position as a global advocate for sustainable development but also inspires other nations to prioritize the health of the world’s oceans.
Conclusion
The Second Blue Talks, hosted by India on May 20, 2025, marked a significant step towards achieving the goals of SDG 14 and the UN Ocean Decade. Through the launch of the white paper Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth, in-depth stakeholder consultations, and international collaboration with France and Costa Rica, India has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable ocean governance. As the world prepares for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025, India’s efforts provide a strong foundation for driving actionable progress towards a healthier, more sustainable future for our oceans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the purpose of the Second Blue Talks hosted by India in 2025?
The Second Blue Talks, held on May 20, 2025, in New Delhi, aimed to accelerate commitments for the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources in preparation for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled for June 9-13, 2025, in Nice, France. Organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in collaboration with the Embassies of France and Costa Rica, the event brought together scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss ocean sustainability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) and the UN Ocean Decade.
2. What were the key themes discussed during the Second Blue Talks?
The Second Blue Talks focused on four key themes:
Integrating ocean, climate, and biodiversity priorities through holistic approaches.
These themes guided stakeholder consultations to generate innovative solutions for long-term ocean sustainability.
Conservation, sustainable management, and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems.
Enhancing ocean science, marine technology, and education for ocean health.
Preventing and reducing marine pollution from land-based and other sources.
3. What is the significance of the white paper launched during the Second Blue Talks?
The white paper, titled Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth, was launched by MoES during the event. It provides a strategic framework to align government efforts, foster cross-sectoral synergies, and attract investment to unlock the potential of India’s marine resources. Highlighting contributions from 25 ministries and coastal states, it builds on India’s G20 Presidency and the Chennai High-Level Principles, addressing challenges like limited data sharing and technological gaps while showcasing scalable models such as women-led seaweed farming and green ship recycling.
4. Who were the key figures involved in the Second Blue Talks?
The event was chaired by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Néstor Baltodano Vargas, Ambassador of Costa Rica to India, and Mr. Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy. Their leadership emphasized international collaboration, with Dr. Ravichandran advocating for ocean resource mapping and technology, Ambassador Vargas highlighting global cooperation, and Mr. Syed noting India’s role in the BBNJ Agreement and UNOC3 preparations.
5. How does India’s Second Blue Talks contribute to global ocean governance?
The Second Blue Talks positioned India as a leader in global ocean governance by fostering dialogue on sustainable ocean management and preparing for UNOC3. With its vast coastline and rich marine biodiversity, India leveraged the event to showcase initiatives like the Sagarmala Programme and Deep Ocean Mission, aligning with the UN Ocean Decade and the BBNJ Agreement. The event’s outcomes, including the white paper and stakeholder consultations, will influence global strategies for ocean conservation and sustainable development.
