What happened?
On May 20, 2025, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, in collaboration with the Embassies of France and Costa Rica, hosted the “Second Blue Talks” in New Delhi. This event was a preparatory milestone for the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled for June 09-13, 2025, in Nice, France. The event, chaired by M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, and co-chaired by Néstor Baltodano Vargas, Ambassador of Costa Rica to India, and Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission, French Embassy, convened leading scientists, policymakers, and various stakeholders. During the event, MoES launched a white paper titled “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth”.
Why it matters to India
Hosting the Second Blue Talks demonstrates India’s proactive engagement in global ocean governance and its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). The launch of the white paper, “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Investment, Innovation and Sustainable Growth,” highlights India’s strategic framework to leverage its vast marine resources for national progress, aligning with the Viksit Bharat vision for 2047. The report emphasizes the need for a unified approach across 25 ministries and coastal states, and addresses challenges such as limited data sharing, low private investment, and technology gaps, which are critical for India’s sustainable development. By promoting scalable models like women-led seaweed farming and smart port development, India is showcasing its potential for achieving both economic growth and environmental sustainability in the blue economy sector. This initiative also solidifies India’s G20 Presidency commitments and the Chennai High-Level Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy.