Ambassador Dr Erja Askola has expressed the need to strike a balance between economic activity and environmental protection, while outlining the European Union’s (EU) commitment to sustainable ocean governance in the Caribbean.

Askola, chief EU envoy to Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas, stated that there is no doubt that marine protection and the ocean in general is so important for people, the planet and prosperity.

“It’s well known that the ocean is the main regulator of climate. It is the source, a crucial source of biodiversity and source of livelihoods, nutrition for people. At the same time, it is an opportunity, it provides opportunities for recreation, for activities, for tourism, and it’s a source of beauty and wonders for our future generations as well.”

However, while the environment can provide economic opportunities, she expressed while speaking at the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP18) to the Cartagena Convention on Monday (October 13) the need to protect and preserve it. “We need to strike a right balance between economic activity and conservation protection. And this is why we need multilateralism. We need multilateral solutions, and a multilateral environmental agreements programme is part of this solution.”

She revealed that the EU has been supporting the implementation of multilateral economic agreements for the past 15 years.

This programme is a partnership initiative of the European Union, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

“Two of the EU member states, France and the Netherlands, have been involved and are parties in this convention. The EU and its member states together are the main funding partner of this initiative, and I think we may have been the only funding partners, but we have been happy to do so. The EU has a long-standing partnership with the wider Caribbean in advancing marine conservation, combating pollution and supporting sustainable blue economies. So there is always the productive side there.”

However, Askola emphasised the need to be careful in terms of making sure that the sustainability of all the activities is maintained. “I’m here to reaffirm the EU’s support for sustainable ocean governance and SIDS priorities,” she said.

She highlighted that recently, the European Union held the EU-Caribbean Global Gateway Conference on Sargassum. This conference showcased the importance the EU gives to the approaches and responses to the rise of Sargassum in the region. There were ministerial participants from Grenada, Mexico and Dominican Republic.

“So it’s important to keep on this dialogue and keep on finding solutions for sargassum in the Caribbean Sea. EU support in Jamaica that is related to climate resilience is integrated in our different programmes such as eco-efficient farming and integrated coastal management, sustainable Kingston and support to harbour renewable energy and support to resilient climate-smart public-private partnerships.

“And the EU is committed to working together with all parties, regional organisations and local communities to strengthen the implementation of the Cartagena Convention and to build resilience against climate change and to safeguard the marine environment for generations to come,” Askola said.