The United States joined Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, and the United Kingdom in issuing a statement today highlighting a commitment to “a peaceful, prosperous, open, and cooperative Atlantic region, while preserving the ocean as a healthy, sustainable, and resilient resource for generations to come.”
Noting the Atlantic’s trade routes, natural resources, biodiversity, and “untapped economic potential,” and citing challenges associated with organized crime, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation, the signatories commit to exploring opportunities to partner on addressing common challenges and strengthening cooperation to advance sustainable development, economic, environmental, scientific, and maritime governance goals.
Specifically, among other things the statement commits to working together to develop a sustainable ocean economy and an inclusive economic model, conserving marine and coastal ecosystems, and addressing illegal fishing.
