Thousands to gather for UN Ocean Conference to launch a fleet of innovative solutions to stop rapid decline of our ocean’s health

The ocean – our biggest ally against climate change – is in serious trouble. The UN Ocean Conference (27 June to 1 July), co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya, is a unique opportunity to boost collective efforts and find science-based solutions to effectively address the challenges that the ocean is now facing.

According to the World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Global Climate 2021 report, the world’s oceans in 2021 grew to their warmest and most acidic levels on record. Carbon emissions from human activities are causing ocean warming, acidification and oxygen loss, which in turn threaten organisms and ecosystem services, and negatively impact food security, the tourism industry and the economy.

The science is clear: the ocean — critical to combatting climate change, boosting economic growth and reducing biodiversity loss — is seriously degraded, and if present trends continue, there will be catastrophic consequences for the planet.

Heads of Government and State together with leaders from the private sector, the scientific community and other partners will gather at the Conference to chart a new pathway that would ensure the protection and conservation of the ocean and its resources.

In addition to plenary sessions, there will be 8 interactive dialogues focusing on a wide range of ocean issues: from addressing marine pollution to promoting ocean-based economies to increasing scientific knowledge and transfer of marine technology. These dialogues offer individuals and communities opportunities to forge bold commitments to advance ocean action.

The official programme will be accompanied by four special events focusing on youth, the sustainable blue economy, fresh- and saltwater interlinkages and ocean action at the local and regional level.

Youth and Innovation Forum, Cascais, Portugal (24-26 June)

The Youth and Innovation Forum will be a platform for advancing ocean action and implementing youth-led solutions. It will seek to help young entrepreneurs and innovators scale up their initiatives, projects and ideas through professional training and matchmaking with mentors, investors, the private sector and government officials.

Localising Action for the Ocean: Local and Regional Governments Forum, Matosinhos, Portugal (25 June)

This will be a space for local and regional governments and other stakeholders to announce new voluntary commitments in support of Ocean Action. The event will also seek to facilitate a discussion on opportunities and initiatives that can support sustainable adaptation for coastal cities and regions, including financing innovation and scaling up ocean protection.

High-Level Symposium on Water, Lisbon, Portugal (27 June)

This Symposium is an opportunity to bring together political leaders and high-level decision makers dealing both with “fresh” and “salt” water, reflecting on how to better connect these two communities to guarantee an integrated vision of the water cycle. By doing so, the symposium seeks to strengthen the role of water and ocean in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement

Sustainable Blue Economy Investment Forum, Cascais, Portugal (28 June)

The forum is an opportunity to establish a common language for a sustainable ocean economy and to explore how to build synergies between integrated Ocean Management Plans, trade finance, marketing and distribution value chains and the private sector.

Key links on the UN Ocean Conference

Website: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2022
Programme: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2022/programme
Follow live (Official Programme): UN WebTV
Media corner: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/ocean2022/media
#SaveOurOcean Actions: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/5-actions-you-can-take-to-saveourocean/

Thousands to gather for UN Ocean Conference to launch a fleet of innovative solutions to stop rapid decline of our ocean’s health

Rising sea levels, ocean warming and acidification pose a threat to biodiversity, food security and livelihoods

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