EU plans to spend €3.5bn on ocean protection and sustainability with 40 commitments, announced at the Our Ocean conference in Athens.

The EU plans to spend €3.5bn ($3.71bn) on ocean protection and sustainability initiatives, with 40 commitments ranging from combating marine pollution to promoting sustainable fisheries and investments in the "blue economy", according to the EU's top environment official. The announcement was made during the annual Our Ocean conference in Athens, attended by about 120 countries.