India, Nov. 19 -- As many as 17 countries, including France and Brazil, on November 18, joined the Blue NDC Challenge and extended strong support for establishing a new Ocean Taskforce at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem to strengthen the integration of ocean-based climate actions into their national plans, ensuring these commitments translate into real policies and results.

At COP30, countries also unveiled the "Blue Package," a coordinated plan under the five Ocean Breakthroughs-marine conservation, aquatic food, ocean renewable energy, shipping, and coastal tourism-to accelerate solutions across these sectors. The plan aims to address interconnected global...