On April 18, 2024, the parliamentary arm of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 2546: "Towards Council of Europe strategies for healthy seas and oceans to counter the climate crisis"
The resolution, based on a report by Yuliia Ovchynnykova (Ukraine, ALDE), contains recommendations aimed at addressing critical issues related to ocean health in the context of the climate crisis, including a call on member and non-member States of the Council of Europe to promote the codification of the term "ecocide" at national, regional and international levels.
Also included, is a recommendation to ensure good governance of marine resources by advocating for the creation of networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) and implementing improved data sharing and reporting mechanisms.
Furthermore, the resolution underscores the importance of strengthening cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations, expert organizations, and researchers.
The IMO plays a central role in providing a framework for oceans and seas, and the Council of Europe has maintained observer status, along with the IMO, since 1974.
More information on the resolution and a copy of the full report can be found on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe website here.
