Honourable Heads of State and Government
Distinguished Colleague Ministers and other High Representatives,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Allow me at the outset to express our profound appreciation to the Governments of France and Costa Rica for co-hosting this important and timely conference, and to pledge my Group's full support for a meaningful outcome.

Excellencies,

Our oceans and seas are our planet's lungs. They produce over 50% of the oxygen that we and other living creatures breathe. They are home to most of earth's biodiversity. They regulate our climate and support the livelihoods of billions of us. They are essential for our food security, economic growth, and planetary health, and an integral source for our identity and culture.

Yet, they suffer abuse from varying factors among which are overfishing, pollution, warming, acidification and loss of biodiversity. Our oceans need our help now more than ever.

The Group of 77 and China expresses deep concern over the accelerating degradation of the marine ecosystems. Marine pollution, including plastics and chemical runoff, overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, loss of biodiversity, and the acidification and warming of ocean waters, are compounding existing vulnerabilities, especially for developing countries that rely heavily on marine resources.

We are particularly alarmed by the disproportionate impact of climate change on ocean health, and its cascading effects on food security and nutrition, livelihoods, and disaster risk for our peoples. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, and extreme weather events are not distant possibilities - they are present realities for many of our members.

So, Excellencies, as we convene today for this noble cause, let us also reflect on the critical importance and value of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Let us remember that they are the cornerstone for a peaceful, prosperous and healthy planet for people strongly rooted in partnerships.

The Group of 77 and China has always committed to the full and timely implementation of these goals, amongst which is goal 14: Life Below Water. For us and our future generations, the group has always regarded the ocean as an indispensable source of life and livelihoods, a pivotal climate regulatory factor, and a generous source of sustainable development for all people across the globe.

Today, we advocate for an urgent call for action. The ocean needs our help. Overfishing, marine pollution, habitat destruction, acidification, and climate-induced impacts threaten our marine ecosystems and the socioeconomic well-being of our fellow people. Many of the countries of the G77 and China, are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and coastal developing nations. The ocean to them is not only a body of water, it is a resource, a life and survival.

Additionally, the Group of 77 and China emphasises that the health of the ocean is a global concern that affects all countries, from coastal nations to landlocked countries alike. Although landlocked countries, lack direct access to the sea, they are nonetheless impacted through climate regulation, global trade, marine biodiversity, and transboundary pollution. It is therefore essential that ocean governance frameworks recognise and include the voices, needs, and perspectives of all developing countries, regardless of their geographical situation.

Despite limitations, the Group of 77 and China has shown leadership and determination in advancing marine protection, sustainable fisheries, and ocean science. We have committed to the transformative vision outlined in The Declaration, and we stand ready to increase our cooperation and actions.

However, the Group reaffirms the central role of multilateralism in advancing sustainable ocean governance. Only through inclusive, transparent, and cooperative international processes can we address the scale and complexity of threats facing our ocean. Strengthened global partnerships, enhanced capacity-building, and equitable access to technology and financing are critical to ensuring that all countries can meaningfully contribute to and benefit from efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14. The G77 and China calls for united, global action that leaves no nation behind in safeguarding the ocean as a common heritage of humankind.

We recognize that SDG 14 is one of the least funded SDGs and that accelerating ocean action globally requires significant and accessible finance and the fulfilment of existing commitments and obligations under relevant intergovernmental agreements. It also requires adequate and scaled up means of implementation for developing countries, in particular SIDS and LDCs, to address the funding gap of SDG 14.

This goal must not remain a rhetorical farfetched aspiration, or be on the margin until conditions allow. We urge our development partners, the UN system, multilateral institutions, including the International Financial Institutions, and all stakeholders to timely step up with genuine ambition, solidarity and financing.

Let us make the utmost use of this ocean conference to deliver tangible durable solutions to advance progress for the people and nations most affected and least equipped.

The time to act is not tomorrow. The time to act is now… for our ocean… for our planet… and for our people and future generations.

I Thank you.