Oceans in the 2030 Agenda: The Role of Regional Ocean Governance (New York, 6th June 2017)
The governments of Germany and Sweden, together with the United Nations Environment Programme and in cooperation with the PROG partners Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), and TMG – Think Tank for Sustainability are organizing a one day side event on the role of regional ocean governance for delivering SDG 14
Participants from a variety of regions will discuss and identify innovative solutions through which countries and competent organisations could work together towards the harmonised and cross-sectoral implementation of SDG 14.This side event will be organized as an integral part of the UN Ocean Conference and concluding messages will be reported back to the conference.
Confirmed speakers include Secretary of State for the Environment of Germany Gunther Adler, Minister for the Environment of Sweden Karolina Skog, and Executive Director of UN Environment Erik Solheim.
The Ocean Conference – Our Oceans, Our Future: Partnering for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (New York, 5-9 June 2017)
The high-level UN conference to support the implementation of SDG14, co-hosted by the governments of Fiji and Sweden, aims to be the game changer that will reverse the decline in the health of our ocean. The PROG is engaging with the preparation for the conference and is working with its partners to present a coalition for the Western Indian Ocean, among other initiatives.
Meet at the German Ocean Pavilion (New York, 5-9 June 2017)
Scoping missions: Seychelles (13-14 October 2016), Madagascar (23-27 January 2017) and Tanzania (6-10 February 2017)
The purpose of the missions is to analyse ongoing processes, identify key actors and explore options to work towards the implementation of SDG 14 and other ocean related SDGs in the Western Indian Ocean. The mission and its envisaged outcomes will support the development of regional engagement and cross-sectoral partnership and collaboration for the implementation of the SDGs in the WIO. The PROG partners will subsequently develop a report providing baseline information on SDG implementation for ocean and coasts with regard to possible alignment of targets, priorities and needs, ongoing processes, and possible capacity gaps in the WIO region and exploring options for developing regional partnerships and closing gaps.
Area-based Management and Regional Cooperation for the Implementation of Ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals (Brussels, 9-10 February 2017)
A workshop organised by UNEP and the European Commission during which IDDRI and IASS presented the results of their common project on the implementation challenges of the Ocean SDG.
Area Based Planning tools and Exploring Regional Cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean to Implement the U.N Oceans 2030 Agenda (Mahe, Seychelles, 13-14 October 2016)
The Area Based Planning tools workshop, hosted by the Nairobi Convention together with UN Environment – WCMC, explored regional cooperation for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the WIO region and for the improvement of governance of areas beyond national jurisdiction. The PROG hosted a Workshop Session on Regional Cooperation and Coordination in the SDG 14 implementation in the Western Indian Ocean and also held a meeting on Good Practices in the Seychelles with key national departments and stakeholders.
Time to act for oceans in the 2030 Agenda: collaborative partnerships for SDG 14 (IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, 3 September 2016)
This interactive and high-level dialogue, organized during IUCN’s World Conservation Congress) sought to generate innovative ideas and practical ways forward to achieve the Ocean SDG. Panelists and discussions addressed questions such as: How are governments, civil society, businesses and communities delivering on the oceans, coasts, and marine resources goal and targets of the 2030 Agenda? How are they addressing trade-offs between SDG 14 aspirations and other goals? What are the key elements of success at all levels that will make it possible to achieve progress towards the 2030 Agenda and in particular the goals and targets of SDG 14? The final output will be a policy paper recommending concrete actions to deliver on the Ocean SDG and the broader 2030 Agenda. Recommendations will be voted on by participants and included in this paper.
2016 Potsdam Ocean Governance Workshop – Sustainable Development Goals for the Ocean: Turning Commitment into Action (12-13 May 2016)
The 2016 Potsdam Ocean Governance Workshop brought together outstanding experts and representatives from governments, international organisations, scientific institutions, civil society and business to advance creative thinking to jump-start the implementation of the SDGs for ocean, seas and marine resources. The workshop focused on key challenges for implementation and was organized around three thematic parallel sessions (follow-up and review, capacity building, regional approaches).
Parliamentary Evening: A Sustainable Future for Oceans and Coasts – Implementing the 2030 Agenda
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in cooperation with the IASS hosted a Parliamentary evening in Berlin on 11 May 2016 that brought together representatives from governments, international organisations, scientific institutions, civil society and business. The BMZ stated its commitment to support regional implementation processes through the Partnership for Regional Ocean Governance. A panel session organized at the event emphasized that the implementation of the SDGs for the seas and oceans shall be best advanced at the regional and transnational level with measures that cut across sectors such as fishing, shipping, and marine conservation.
CPPS Workshop on Integrated Regional Oceanic Policy (Bogota, Colombia, 28-30 October 2015)
The CPPS Integrated Oceanic Policy Workshop brought together all countries in the region, together with stakeholders and scientists, to explore options and opportunities to develop a regional ocean policy for the South Pacific and adjacent areas beyond national Jurisdiction.
Scoping Workshop: Supporting the development of regional initiatives for ABNJ in the Abidjan Convention Region (Beau Vallon, Seychelles, 20-21 June 2015)
The Convention for Cooperation in the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Atlantic Coast of the West, Central and Southern Africa Region (Abidjan Convention) established a working group to study areas beyond national jurisdiction (Decision CP. 11.10/2014). The Abidjan Convention Secretariat invited the PROG to provide support in launching and operationalizing the Working Group, including by organizing a first scoping workshop. This workshop gathered around 15 experts from the Abidjan Convention Contracting Parties, international and regional organisations, NGOs and research centers to discuss the way forward for the working group.
