From the North Sea to the high seas
In the lead-up to World Ocean Day, Belgium has been stepping up its efforts to protect and restore the ocean. Two key events helped drive momentum in Belgium.
At the event “Caring for the Sea”, policymakers, scientists and businesses came together to accelerate marine nature restoration in the Belgian North Sea. The focus was clear: strengthen cooperation, increase investment and scale up solutions that deliver tangible results. One example is oyster reef restoration, a nature-based solution that improves water quality, supports biodiversity and enhances ecosystem resilience.
During the “Navigating the North Sea” event, organised by blue economy innovation platform Blue Cluster, stakeholders explored Belgium’s new Marine Spatial Plan. This plan provides a framework to balance economic activities, such as offshore energy, shipping and sand extraction, with the protection of marine ecosystems, showing how sustainable development and nature conservation can go hand in hand.
Looking ahead: continued action in the coming weeks
The momentum continues beyond World Ocean Day, with several important initiatives planned in the weeks ahead.
- Belgium will take part in the Our Ocean Conference, a major global platform that mobilises concrete commitments and investments for ocean protection, with thousands of pledges made since its launch.
- A large-scale oil spill response exercise in the Belgian North Sea will test preparedness and strengthen cooperation between national and international partners, ensuring rapid response to potential environmental emergencies.
- During London Climate Action Week, Belgium will co-sponsor a panel highlighting the strong link between ocean health and climate action, as the ocean plays a key role in regulating the Earth’s climate.
From local action to global impact
Belgium has also reinforced its international leadership by ratifying the BBNJ Agreement in 2025, underlining its commitment to protecting marine biodiversity worldwide.
From restoring ecosystems in the North Sea to engaging in global initiatives, Belgium is contributing to a broader movement for a healthy and resilient ocean.
Photo © Ruth Teerlynck
