JUNE 11: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh held a bilateral meeting with Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Ms. Marianne Sivertsen Ness, to explore new avenues of cooperation in marine resource management, sustainable fisheries, and the blue economy. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ongoing 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France.
During their discussions, both ministers emphasized the importance of fostering stronger collaboration between India and Norway to promote sustainable ocean governance. They acknowledged the growing global challenges faced by the marine ecosystem, including overfishing, pollution, climate change, and the need for joint efforts in conserving marine biodiversity while ensuring sustainable utilization of ocean resources.
At the delegation-level talks led by Dr. Jitendra Singh and Ms. Ness, both nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing partnerships in key areas such as responsible fisheries management, preservation of marine ecosystems, technological exchange in aquaculture, and capacity-building initiatives for sustainable ocean development. The leaders highlighted the mutual benefits of knowledge sharing, research collaborations, and policy exchanges in addressing common challenges in the fisheries sector.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that India, with its vast coastline and diverse marine resources, places high priority on developing the blue economy in an environmentally sustainable manner. He underscored the Indian government’s focus on balancing economic growth with conservation, ensuring the livelihoods of coastal communities while protecting fragile marine ecosystems. He expressed confidence that strengthened ties with Norway, a global leader in fisheries and ocean policy, would contribute significantly to India’s long-term ocean sustainability goals.
The Norwegian Minister, Ms. Ness, appreciated India’s proactive role in global discussions on ocean governance and emphasized Norway’s readiness to expand bilateral cooperation. She stressed the importance of responsible fishing practices, innovative aquaculture technologies, and research collaborations to ensure that the oceans remain a source of prosperity for future generations.
The bilateral meeting at UNOC3 highlighted the deepening partnership between India and Norway in the broader framework of the blue economy, with both countries recognizing that collective global action is essential to safeguard oceans. The ministers agreed to continue dialogue through regular engagements, joint working groups, and collaborative research initiatives to advance the shared vision of healthy oceans and sustainable fisheries.