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Council of Europe parliamentary assembly calls for the recognition “ecocide” at national, regional and international levels

Summary:

  • On April 18, 2024, the parliamentary arm of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 2546: “Towards Council of Europe strategies for healthy seas and oceans to counter the climate crisis”
  • The resolution, based on a report by Yuliia Ovchynnykova (Ukraine, ALDE), contains recommendations aimed at addressing critical issues related to ocean health in the context of the climate crisis, including a call on member and non-member States of the Council of Europe to promote the codification of the term “ecocide” at national, regional and international levels.
  • Also included, is a recommendation to ensure good governance of marine resources by advocating for the creation of networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) and implementing improved data sharing and reporting mechanisms. 
  • Furthermore, the resolution underscores the importance of strengthening cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations, expert organizations, and researchers.
  • The IMO plays a central role in providing a framework for oceans and seas, and the Council of Europe has maintained observer status, along with the IMO, since 1974.

More information on the resolution and a copy of the full report can be found on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe website here.