Minister Attends 2025 UN Ocean Conference
Minister of Public Works and Environment, Jache Adams, returned from the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference [UNOC] in Nice, France, last week, where he “led a high-level delegation that reaffirmed the Island’s commitment to ocean sustainability and international collaboration.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Minister was joined by Dr. Tammy Warren, who attended as a Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] representative.
“During the conference, the Minister held bilateral meetings with international counterparts, participated in strategic roundtables, and underscored Bermuda’s marine conservation efforts, including the anticipated Marine Development Act.”
Minister Adams with The Honourable Senator Dr. Joyelle Trizia Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment [St. Kitts & Nevis].
“This conference was not just about attendance, it was about presence and purpose,” Minister Adams stated.
“Bermuda is a small island, but we sit in a vast ocean that matters to the world. Our voice must be heard when global policies are being shaped. I was proud to speak for Bermuda and emphasise that our ocean is our future.”
The Government spokesperson said, “One of the conference highlights for the Bermuda delegation was a high-level engagement with officials from the Azores, who recently created Europe’s largest Marine Protected Area network. The discussions focused on shared challenges and best practices in ocean governance.”
“It is remarkable how connected our islands are, geographically and in ambition,” Minister Adams noted. “The Azores and Bermuda are charting similar paths in marine protection, and collaboration is essential.
“We are building bridges across the Atlantic that can serve our marine economies and ecosystems for years to come.”
The Government spokesperson said, “Leading nations worldwide have pledged to protect 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030, a global goal known as “30×30″.
Minister Adams speaking with members of the Waitt Institute.
“The aim is to establish a connected network of marine protected areas that will help safeguard ocean health, support biodiversity, and strengthen resilience against the impacts of climate change.
“Bermuda’s participation at UNOC bolsters ongoing efforts to formalise the Marine Development Act, which will provide the legislative framework to support the Island’s ocean conservation efforts, including an Ocean Fund.”
“The Government is advancing a comprehensive ocean strategy that integrates science, and stakeholder voices,” Minister Adams added.
Minister Adams with Emma Harding, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State [Minister for Water and Flooding].
The Government spokesperson said, “The Bermuda delegation also participated in sessions examining ocean accounting, sustainable fisheries, mobilising finance for ocean conservation, preventing and reducing marine pollution, and the high seas treaty.
“The conference also provided a platform for the Sargasso Sea Commission [SSC], which participated as part of its ongoing efforts to promote the conservation of the Sargasso Sea, a unique marine ecosystem surrounding Bermuda. Fae Sapsford, a Marine Research Fellow at the SSC, attended as part of the Commission’s delegation.”
“It was a really key time for the Commission at UNOC because of the recent adoption of the BBNJ agreement — a new treaty under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea focusing on the conservation and sustainable use of the high seas,” said Ms Sapsford.
“The Commission is in the unique position of having collaborated under a voluntary structure to conserve the Sargasso Sea for over a decade. Now we have this new agreement that brings exciting opportunities for internationally legally binding protection of high seas areas.
“We were able to share lessons learned from the Sargasso Sea project at UNOC, which we hope will support the swift and effective implementation of the BBNJ agreement when it comes into force.”
The Government spokesperson said, “Ms Sapsford, whose work focuses on communications and international law, added that the SSC was delighted to coordinate with the Government of Bermuda at the conference.
“Minister Adams closed his visit with a commitment to ensure that Bermuda remains a visible and active leader in the global marine space.”
“When decisions are being made about the future of our ocean, Bermuda will not be absent. We will be present, engaged, and leading from the front,” he concluded.
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For every comment attributed to this minister, it is becoming evident that he speaks from a position of a plot icing who tries to say the right thing.
It seems like you’re in need of a better prescription. Have another conversation with your doctor.
OH PLEASE! “the Island’s commitment to ocean sustainability”
Define “ocean sustainability.” As if the Atlantic is going to evaporate.
Does the Minister know that there is no matrix for the optimal number of species by fish, plant, tree, bird, turtle, coral, Mollusca, humans, insects, etc., stating the optimal balance for each species by grid section/geographical coordinates, zip code/postal code, to obtain “biodiversity,” right? No scientist can produce the answers, but we must listen to them.
I’m presuming Jache can’t see the dump leaking into the ocean from his seat in the first class lounge so will forgive his ignorance.
The blind leading the blind that is nothing new .