Focused on solutions and collaboration to ensure Healthy Oceans and Productive Ecosystems for future generations, the HOPE Conference, on 3-4 March 2014 in Brussels, called for urgent action to better protect the ocean and, in particular, to combat the ever increasing amount of marine debris.

Governments of Bermuda, the Azores, Monaco, United Kingdom and the United States have signed a declaration committing to the conservation of the Sargasso Sea – a vast patch of mid-Atlantic Ocean known for its unique floating seaweeds that harbour rich biodiversity. This is the first time an international alliance has been formed to protect this unique haven of marine life.