ZAGREB, 10 June (Hina) - The world is close to having 60 countries ratify the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said Monday in Nice, where he was attending the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).

The treaty for the protection of the oceans was adopted in New York in June 2023 and was signed on behalf of Croatia by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs. The document is open for signing until 20 September 2025 and has so far been signed by 116 countries.

The agreement will enter into force 120 days after it is ratified by 60 countries. So far, around thirty states have done so, including Croatia.

"Protecting the oceans, preserving the environment, preventing further pollution, and reducing plastic in the seas is a major global goal, as we know the oceans are warming at an excessive rate, which then affects biodiversity and contributes to global climate change," Plenković said.

He described the conference in Nice and the European Ocean Pact as "a very good step in the right direction", considering that "many of our economies are maritime-oriented."

Last week, the European Commission adopted the European Ocean Pact to improve ocean protection, promote a successful blue economy, and support citizens living in coastal areas.

In Croatia, as many as 140,000 people are employed in industries connected to the Adriatic. "They make a huge contribution to both Croatia's GDP and the development of our economy. That's why such international and European frameworks are very beneficial in creating an even better climate for their growth," said Plenković.

As part of the conference, PM Plenković is also participating in the Summit For a Connected Mediterranean, which he compared to the EU MED-9 organisation of nine Mediterranean EU member states, which Croatia will chair next year.