New and innovative digital solutions offer countries a unique opportunity to join forces in addressing the serious effects and challenges posed by transnational organized crime in the global fishing industry. 

Oslo, 22 March 2021 -Today Brazil will become the 34^th state to support the Copenhagen Declaration, first initiated by the Norwegian government in 2018 and operationalized through capacity building initiatives under the Norwegian Blue Justice Initiative.

Transnational crimes in the fisheries sector, including human trafficking, corruption, large-scale illegal fishing, and tax crime contribute to food insecurity, human rights violations, and loss of state revenue.  Digital technology is now offering new opportunities to collaborate effectively across state-borders to tackle these issues. UNDP is supporting Norway through the management of the Blue Justice Community, a unique digital system to facilitate secure global interaction to combat organized crime in the fisheries sector. The platform was used during the signing ceremony for Brazil and offered the public a first glimpse into the many functions of the Blue Justice Community. UNDP will continue to administer the platform’s use amongst and between governments.

-       “Brazil is a large and significant ocean nation with the 10^th largest economic zone in the world. It is therefore a very great pleasure that the country is now joining the declaration,” says Minister of Fisheries and Seafood Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen.

-       “We must explore all avenues to ensure that developing countries also get a share of the opportunities offered by innovation and digitalization, which gives the countries the opportunity to skip development stages. We know that fishing crime has a negative impact on food security and the livelihoods of vulnerable coastal populations. Therefore, this digital platform is an important tool,” says Minister of International Development Dag-Inge Ulstein.

-       “UNDP, through its Blue Resilience project, is pleased to be part of the Norwegian digital platform that harnesses technology to support governments to cooperatively fight fisheries crime. This will ensure progress towards a sustainable Blue Economy and meeting the UN sustainable development goals,” says Camilla Brückner, Director of UNDP’s Nordic Representation Office. 

-       “We are delighted to join the Copenhagen Declaration. We look forward to working with governments across the world in using the digital Bule Justice Community technology to jointly fight fisheries crime” says Jorge Seif Junior, Brazilian Secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries. 

The accession of Brazil to the Copenhagen Declaration and the Blue Justice Community will take place through a webinar facilitated by UNDP which is open to all. A recording of the event will be made available online. 

For further information, please visit www.bluejustice.org or contact Emma Witbooi, Blue Resilience Project Manager on emma.witbooi@undp.org.

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