Bermeo Tuna, UN Etxea, and Local 2030, this time in New York

Bermeo Tuna, UN Etxea, and Local 2030 have once again been selected by the UN to organize a new event at the High-Level Political Forum to highlight progress in sustainability within the Basque Country’s tuna value chain

Bermeo Tuna World Capital will present a real-world implementation of SDG 14 with global impact at the FPAN in New York

Bermeo, July 10, 2025 – Following the work begun in Nice to position the tuna value chain as a benchmark for sustainability, the partnership between Bermeo Tuna World Capital (Bermeo Tuna), UN Etxea, and Local 2030 has been selected to organize a new side event as part of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, where progress toward SDG 14: Life Below Water will be discussed.

This event will highlight the experience of Bermeo Tuna as an exemplary case of the local implementation of the SDGs, particularly SDG 14, and its contribution to the economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable development of the regions where it operates. It is a model with strong roots in the local ecosystem of Bermeo and the Basque Country, yet one that has a global impact through the ports and regions where the Bermeo tuna fleet operates.

During the event, the International Declaration on Tuna Sustainability—promoted by Bermeo Tuna—will also be presented. The declaration seeks to bring together public and private stakeholders in the sector around common principles of sustainability, equity, and shared responsibility.

The event will be an opportunity to strengthen the framework for collaboration between Bermeo Tuna and UN Etxea, with a focus on the internationalization of Basque best practices and the consolidation of strategic partnerships in global forums on sustainable development.

Two events to highlight Basque leadership in sustainability: from the sea to the table

As part of their participation in the FPAN, Bermeo Tuna and its partners will organize two strategic meetings in New York on July 16 and 17 to position the value chain related to tuna fishing and processing and the Basque wine sector as international leaders in sustainability:

• ‘The Basque Country, land of sustainable tuna and wine’
  16 July, 6.30 pm, TXIKITO Restaurant, New York

An institutional event aimed at international stakeholders, the media and professionals from the food sector, which will include an extended round-table discussion and a cocktail reception featuring sustainable tinned tuna and northern bonito from the canning companies associated with Bermeo Tuna: Cusumano, Arroyabe, Alakrana, Serrats, Zallo, Campos and Bolton Food (through its US brand ‘Wild Planet’), and drinks from the Basque Country (cider, txakoli from Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, and Rioja Alavesa wines), thanks to the collaboration with HAZI.

The round-table discussion will feature representatives from the Basque Government: Ixone Soroa from the Department of Fisheries and Asier Areitio from the Department of External Relations; Angel Santurtún from the Basque Maritime Forum; Angel Martínez de Zunibal and Marina Santurtún from AZTI; Ignacio Serrats and Maitane Leizaola from Bermeo Tuna World Capital; and Aran Acha from UN Etxea.

The objectives of this meeting are:

• To promote international recognition of the value chain associated with Bermeo Tuna as a leader in responsible fishing and sustainable production, as well as of the Basque wine sector as a benchmark for sustainable, high-quality agricultural production.
• To promote the International Declaration on Tuna Sustainability.
• To facilitate meetings between Basque export companies and buyers, distributors and key opinion leaders in the US market.
• To engage with key stakeholders within the United Nations ecosystem and multilateral organisations that influence sustainability and food policies.
• Side event to the FPAN – United Nations
  17 July, 2–3.30 pm, Instituto Cervantes, New York

Entitled “Local Transformation for a Global Impact: Sustainable Blue Economy and Multistakeholder Governance to Advance SDG 14”, this official event will be attended by representatives of the Basque Government, Ixone Soroa and Asier Areitio; Maitane Leizaola and Ignacio Serrats from Bermeo Tuna World Capital, Marina Santurtun from AZTI, Angel Martínez from ZUNIBAL, Aran Acha from UN Etxea, and representatives from the Local2030 Coalition and Hawaii Green Growth.

The event will cover:

• The local implementation of SDG 14.
• Multi-level and multi-stakeholder governance.
• The sustainable use of marine resources.
• The blue economy and territorial and inclusive approaches.

Local action models with a global impact will be presented, and the Basque experience will be discussed alongside that of the Local2030 Hub in Hawaii, highlighting innovative partnerships and sustainable practices in fisheries, marine science, regenerative tourism and socio-economic resilience.

Both events highlight the Basque ecosystem’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the leadership shown by Bermeo and the Basque Country in promoting a sustainable, inclusive blue economy that is firmly rooted in the region.

The mission is supported by AZTI, Zunibal and the Basque Government.

Link for further information: Bermeo Tuna – HLPF side event