Strategic Plan: 2024-2030
Announcing the May 2024 launch of the Global Ocean Forum’s Strategic Plan for 2024-2030, now accessible for review. For more information and to access, see here.
SIDS4 Virtual Side Event
The Global Ocean Forum is pleased to be organizing a virtual side event during SIDS4 in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific (USP), Solomon Islands National University (SINU), the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), and the Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project. The side event, titled Integrated approaches to ocean governance in the context of climate change, the BBNJ Agreement, and Small Island Developing States, will take place on 28 May 2024 from 17:00-18:30 Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4) and will involve a high-level panel discussion on integrated and collaborative approaches used to progress the ocean in the climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development agenda. Registration for the event is available here. For more information on SIDS4 and GOF’s involvement, see here.
The ROCA Report: Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action: 2022-2023
We are pleased to announce the completion of the 2023 edition of the Report on Assessing Progress on Ocean and Climate Action which can be downloaded here (low resolution, high resolution). The report will be officially launched on November 22nd at the Preview Event of the COP28 Virtual Ocean Pavilion. This multi-organizational effort involves old and new partners and includes 67 co-authors from 46 organizations. The report aims to provide multidisciplinary updates on various sectoral and stakeholder initiatives in science, policy development, financing, capacity development and other cross-cutting efforts on ocean and climate action. This analysis is helpful in advancing more robust efforts toward the integration of ocean into various UNFCCC constituted bodies and work programme and contains key recommendations for Parties and non-Party stakeholders. For questions about the report, please contact Sarah Davidson or Miriam Balgos.
Staying the Course and Stepping Up to New Challenges
The Global Ocean Forum remains committed to its mission of promoting good governance of the ocean, healthy marine ecosystems, and sustainable development. Since its creation in 2002, the Global Ocean Forum has been tracking progress achieved (or lack thereof) on major ocean-related goals, bringing together national and international data on the range of issues related to oceans, especially regarding the cross-cutting goals (integrated, ecosystem-based management).
Our mission is to advance the global ocean agenda toward sustainable development for the well-being of humanity, in the context of climate change. – Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Co-Chair/President, Global Ocean Forum (2002-2020)
The GOF’s Strategic Directions for Implementing the Ocean Outcomes of Rio+20 and Related Ocean Commitments from the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) (2014 to 2018) was forward-looking and visionary, addressing emerging issues caused by climate change and the need for a new international legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of areas beyond national jurisdiction, among other oceans issues. In addition to the worsening climate as demonstrated by extreme events around the world, the Covid pandemic became a new socio-economic driver significantly affecting an already shaky global ocean equilibrium. GOF has to face these new challenges as well as unresolved traditional ocean and coastal issues in a strategic planning process led by its Policy Advisory Board, which would greatly benefit from a diverse set of perspectives in pursuit of common goals and new solutions. A flagship program is also under development, which will include ocean and climate, BBNJ, Blue Economy, and integrated ocean and coastal management components. Both GOF strategic plan and flagship program will be launched in 2024.
