Since 2014, the Our Ocean conferences have invited ocean leaders to make tangible and measurable commitments for transforming the future of the seas. The 4th edition, hosted by the European Union, was held in Malta last 6-8 October. IDDRI’s ocean governance efforts were well represented during this event.
Global ocean leaders convened in Malta 6-8 October for the 4thOur Ocean Conference, hosted by the European Union. Since 2014, the Our Ocean conferences have invited ocean leaders to make tangible and measurable commitments for transforming the future of the seas. This year, 437 commitments were announced totalling €7.2 billion, including huge new marine protected areas (totalling 2.5 million square kilometres).
IDDRI’s ocean governance efforts were well represented at the conference. The EU and Germany announced that they will support the establishment of a cross-sectoral and cross-boundary multi-stakeholder platform for regional ocean governance by 2020. These will be developed under the Partnership for Regional Ocean Governance (PROG) initiated in 2015 by IDDRI, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), the Think Tank for Sustainability (TMG). The first PROG Forum will take place in 2019.
Germany also announced the launch of the STRONG High Seas project. The project will receive €3.9 million over the next 5-years to strengthen regional ocean governance for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Led by IASS, IDDRI and other partners will work with the Secretariats of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific and the Abidjan Convention to develop and propose measures to support integrated and ecosystem-based ocean governance in the Southeast Pacific and Southeast Atlantic.
The Sustainable Ocean Alliance organised the Youth Leadership Summit in parallel, bringing the next wave of ocean leaders together with current ocean champions. The 100 strong cohort, including IDDRI Research Fellow Glen Wright, participated in workshops and met with an impressive array of mentors, developing ocean solutions and strengthening their leadership skills.
The next Our Ocean conference will be hosted by Indonesia in 2018.
Conference upon invitation only
Follow the conference on twitter: #OurOcean
