As a part of Blue Week Grenada 2016, the Global Ocean Forum, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the University of Delaware’s Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy, and the project partners of the Global Environment Facility/ Food and Agriculture Organization/ Global Ocean Forum Project on Strengthening Capacity to Effectively Manage ABNJ as part of the GEF/FAO Program on Global Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (“CommonOceans,” www.commonoceans.org) organized a workshop on Capacity Development to Improve the Management of Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ): Needs, Experiences, Options, and Opportunities, held from May 18-21, 2016 in St. George’s, Grenada.
The workshop brought together 55 participants representing various stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, civil society and national and regional ocean leaders to:
1. Discuss and exchange information and perspectives towards a broader understanding of the needs and opportunities in the development of capacity regarding ABNJ
2. Contribute information on capacity development to the global deliberations towards a legally-binding international instrument on BBNJ under UNCLOS; and
3. Formulate next steps in the way forward in advancing capacity development regarding ABNJ, building on past and ongoing initiatives and experiences (especially the outputs of the GEF/FAO Common Oceans Program), and responding to global prescriptions on capacity development regarding marine resources and their management.
Resources:
SESSION 1. OPENING SESSION: THE CENTRALITY OF CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN MARINE AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION (ABNJ) AND TO PROMOTE BLUE GROWTH
The GEF/FAO Common Oceans Program – Nicole Glineur, Program Manager, Biodiversity and Private Sector, Global Environment Facility
Capacity Development – A Common Thread through the GEF/FAO Common Oceans Program – Jacqueline Alder, Fish Code Manager, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, FAO
The Importance of Wise EEZ and ABNJ Management – H.E. Dr. Caleb Otto, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Palau to the United Nations
Overview of the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) BBNJ Process – Thembile Joyini, Counsellor (Legal Advisor/Sixth Committee), Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations
Capacity as an Essential Element of New Economic Developments in ABNJ – Sainivalati S. Navoti, Senior Legal Officer, International Seabed Authority
SESSION 2. THE EVOLUTION OF GLOBAL PROVISIONS ON CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ON OCEANS TOWARD ENHANCED IMPLEMENTATION
Overview of the Global Provisions in Capacity Development on Oceans and Their Implementation – Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Ocean Forum and University of Delaware
Overview of Ongoing discussions on Capacity Development in the BBNJ PrepCom Process – Prim Masrinuan, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations
SESSION 3. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT REGARDING AREA-BASED MANAGEMENT IN ABNJ
Overview of the Application of Area-based Management Approaches and Tools to ABNJ (Cross-sectoral and Sectoral), Challenges, Lessons Learned, Possible Future Directions – Marjo Vierros, Senior Adjunct Fellow, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability
Overview of Ongoing Discussions on Area-Based Management in the BBNJ PrepCom Process – Lizanne Aching, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations
Collaboration Among Regional Institutions on Area-Based Management in the Mediterranean – Daniel Cebrian Menchero, Strategic Actions Programme Officer, Mediterranean Action Plan, Regional Activity Center for Marine Protected Areas, Tunisia
SESSION 4. MOBILIZING FOR CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION IN ABNJ
Capacity Development, the Blue Economy and Possible Mechanisms for Mobilization in ABNJ and in EEZs – Indumathie Hewawasam, Senior Policy Advisor, Global Ocean Forum and John Virdin, Director, Oceans and Coastal Policy Program, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University
SESSION 5. BREAK-OUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS: CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN ABNJ: WHAT POSSIBLE MODALITIES FOR AREA-BASED MANAGEMENT IN ABNJ AND REQUISITE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AT THE REGIONAL LEVELS?
ABNJ Capacity Project Survey on ABNJ Capacity Needs – Erica Wales, University of Delaware, and Miriam Balgos, University of Delaware and the Global Ocean Forum
Breakout Group Presentations
SIDE EVENT: The Sargasso Sea Commission: An Innovative Approach to the Conservation of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
The Sargasso Sea Commission: An Innovative Approach to the Conservation of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction – David Freestone, Executive Secretary, Sargasso Sea Commission