Portugal wants to lead ocean protection and economic valorization.

Portugal should assume a leadership role in the protection and economic valorization of the ocean. The idea was defended by the Minister for Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, at the opening of the I Portugal Ocean Forum, held in Faro, where she underscored the need to reconcile environmental defense with sustainable growth.

In the session promoted by the Algarve Center for Marine Sciences, the government official stated that the ocean is a strategic asset of enormous importance for Portugal and for humanity, recalling the scale of Portugal's exclusive economic zone and the country's responsibility in its preservation and valorization. Maria da Graça Carvalho advocated for a strategy based on the protection of marine resources, but also on the development of the blue economy, with activities guided by principles of environmental sustainability and ecological transition. Among the highlighted examples were sustainable marine ecotourism and blue biotechnology, including the potential for the development of new pharmaceuticals, always with safeguarding of marine habitats.

The minister also considered that Portugal should lead by example in defense of the ocean as an ecosystem essential to regulating the planet's climate and a fundamental reserve of biodiversity. At the forum, the president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community formally delivered to the minister the letter of intent "Natural Capital Algarve," through which the 16 municipalities of the Algarve assume the commitment to establish the region as a reference in the sustainable valorization of natural capital, with special attention to the protection of the ocean and coastal ecosystems.

The I Portugal Ocean Forum brought together political decision-makers, researchers, financial institutions, companies and international organizations to discuss the role of the ocean as a motor of development and reinforce Portugal's positioning in the ecological transition.

Photo: Sara Matos/MAEN

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