The World Ocean Summit Europe 2025, organized by Economist Impact, convened on September 9, 2025, at the Hotel Cascais Miragem in Cascais, Portugal. This high-level, one-day summit was a pivotal gathering aimed at driving actionable ocean policies and fostering dialogue on Europe’s most pressing marine challenges.
In response to a question from a Today’s World News 24 Correspondents at the World Ocean Summit Europe 2025 – Pierpaolo Ribuffo, Head of Maritime Policies for Italy’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers, issued a passionate call for global collaboration at the World Ocean Summit Europe 2025, emphasizing that sustainability for the world’s oceans is “non-negotiable.” Ribuffo, representing a deeply maritime nation, stressed that while European countries can lead by example, their efforts alone are insufficient to address the dire challenges facing marine ecosystems.
“We should, as Europeans, try to convince also the other global players, the other countries, of the fact that sustainability is non-negotiable,” Ribuffo stated, highlighting the interconnectedness of ocean health and human well-being. He acknowledged the significant steps the European Union is taking to set a worldwide example but firmly asserted, “We will only be successful if we will be a team together with other nations worldwide.”
When questioned about the competitive landscape and challenges in fundraising for ocean conservation, Ribuffo shifted the focus from merely increasing European financial requirements to a broader adoption of sustainable practices globally. “The challenges are dire, and the requirements we set with the decarbonization are quite dire as well to be met,” he observed. “I think that it’s not a matter to increase the European requirements, but to, in a way, adopt them worldwide with other nations. So I think this is where we should put an effort. Because if we do not do so, we will never be successful.”
Ribuffo’s remarks underscore a growing sentiment among European leaders that effective ocean conservation demands a united front, transcending national borders and fostering a shared global commitment to environmental stewardship. The message from Italy is clear: the future of our oceans, and indeed ourselves, hinges on a collective, non-negotiable dedication to sustainability.