31 October 2024
October 31 – International Black Sea Day
Today, Ukraine celebrates International Black Sea Day, emphasizing once again its importance not only to neighboring countries but also to Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and for global food and environmental security. The Black Sea holds strategic significance, and its condition directly impacts the security and stability not only of the Black Sea region but of the entire world.
International Black Sea Day was established in 1996 when six Black Sea states — Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Russia — signed the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea.
This plan was developed following comprehensive studies of the marine environment, which revealed a significant decline in its viability. The waters are heavily polluted with petroleum products and human waste, and areas along the shores are laden with toxic substances such as cadmium, copper ions, lead, and chromium. Additionally, the Black Sea is experiencing increased water blooms due to oxygen depletion.
The situation has deteriorated further since the onset of Russian aggression in 2014. For over a decade, the Black Sea has seen an escalation in Russia’s military presence. The aggressor state is militarizing the sea and utilizing it for military purposes, jeopardizing the freedom of navigation. These actions not only violate international agreements but also pose serious threats to food security, transport, and environmental safety. Due to the occupiers’ actions, dolphins are dying, and the entire marine ecosystem is suffering. Once a thriving center for business and family tourism, it has now become a focal point of suffering brought on by war.
The world must unite its efforts to restore the Black Sea as a space for peace, trade, and development. This requires a coordinated international effort and diplomatic resolve to address the conflict and re-establish stability in the region. The Black Sea should remain a place where nations cooperate for peace and the preservation of the natural environment for future generations.