Thai Union takes principled stand at UN Ocean Conference

Thai Union joins 150 companies, with a combined market capitalization of 1 trillion euros, to take action for a healthier ocean at the UN Ocean Conference

 

Cascais, Portugal, June 30, 2022 — At the Sustainable Blue Economy Investment Forum in Cascais, Portugal, a special UN Ocean Conference event, Thai Union Group joined 150 major companies in signaling their commitment to a healthy ocean by signing onto the UN Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles.

In addition to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, the Sustainable Ocean Principles provide a framework for responsible business practices across ocean sectors and geographies. Companies signing on to the Sustainable Ocean Principles commit to assess their impact on the ocean and integrate ocean sustainability into their overall strategy.

The world depends on a healthy, productive and resilient ocean for food security, climate mitigation and economic livelihoods. Climate change, overfishing, pollution, and unsustainable and inequitable development are damaging the health of our ocean and seas.

“Today’s commitment by 150 blue economy companies showcases the private sector’s willingness to support SDG 14. Healthy and productive oceans rely on all actors to do their part. I am encouraged by these companies and their commitment to integrate ocean health into their corporate strategies,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact.

“As one of the world’s largest seafood companies, the oceans are the foundation of our business. Protecting them is critical not just for the future of our business, but for the health of the planet, and the livelihoods the oceans provide for millions of people around the world,” said Adam Brennan, Group Director, Sustainability at Thai Union Group. “We’re proud to be a leader in sustainability across the global seafood industry and endorsing the Sustainable Ocean Principles aligns with our corporate commitment to Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans.”

Thai Union joins some of the largest blue economy companies, including Mediterranean Shipping Company, Orsted, and SAP SE as one of the 150 signatories of the UN Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles, spanning 30 industries, 35 countries and six continents, with a combined market capitalization of 1 trillion euros.

Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water) still has the lowest level of financial investment of any of the 17 SDGs. There is a need for increased public, private, and blended financing to foster a sustainable blue economy.

The UN Global Compact announced it will join a coalition of global stakeholders to develop a universal guidance for Blue Bonds—a commitment to provide the global market consistency and transparency in financing the sustainable blue economy. Bonds to Finance the Sustainable Blue Economy: a Practitioner's Guide aims to provide market participants with clear criteria, practices and examples for blue bond lending and issuances.

The full of list of signatories on the Sustainable Ocean Principles can be found here

Notes to Editors

About Thai Union

Thai Union Group PCL is the world’s seafood leader, bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for 45 years.

Today, Thai Union is regarded as one of the world’s leading seafood producers and is one of the largest producers of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB 141.0 billion (US$ 4.5 billion) and a global workforce of more than 44,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable, innovative seafood products.

The company’s global brand portfolio includes market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, and Rügen Fisch, Thai-leading brands SEALECT, Fisho, Qfresh, Monori, OMG Meat, Bellotta and Marvo, and ingredient and supplement brands UniQ™BONE, UniQ™DHA and ZEAvita.

As a company committed to innovation and globally responsible behavior, Thai Union is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact, and a founding participating company of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). In 2015, Thai Union introduced its SeaChange® sustainability strategy. Find out more at seachangesustainability.org. Thai Union’s on-going work on sustainability issues was recognized when the company was listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the eighth consecutive year in 2021 and ranked number two in the world on the Food Products Industry Index. Thai Union was also named to the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the fifth straight year in 2020.