2022 UN Ocean Conference: 28 June, Tuesday’s Voluntary Commitments

Some delegations showcased progress towards achieving sustainable ocean-based economies, with Ireland, for instance describing commitments of almost USD 10 million to address impacts of sea-level rise, drinking water, and coastal erosion.

Tuesday’s Voluntary Commitments

• European Investment Bank will extend an additional EUR 150 million across the Caribbean Region as part of the Clean Oceans Initiative.
• Aruba will expand their marine park to an island-round marine protected area.
• Belize will protect 30% of their marine area by 2030.
• Ireland announces a package of almost EUR 10 million for funding of ocean initiatives.
• Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance announces a multimillion-dollar global search for the next generation of projects to build resilience of coastal communities and finance through finance and insurance products.
• Peru pledges to submit 19 voluntary contributions, including efforts in aquaculture, and ocean acidification.
• US, Canada and the UK launch the IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) Fishing Action Alliance.
• China pledges to launch 31 marine ecological preservation and restoration projects in the next five years and provide assistance to developing countries, especially SIDS, through the One Belt One Road initiative.
• Netherlands will incorporate the Wadden Sea into a well-connected trans-European network of marine protected areas (MPAs) and work towards restoring hundreds of square kilometres of biogenic reefs.
• Kenya is currently developing a national blue economy strategic plan, and a national action plan on sea-based marine plastic litter.
• Thailand announces a voluntary commitment on observation and research in response to ocean acidification.
• Namibia will allocate USD 5 million annually to conduct research, control, monitoring and surveillance in marine ecosystems.
• US and Norway announce a Green Shipping Challenge for the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 27).
• Singapore will launch research initiatives on tracking fish populations, using solar energy to spur coral reef growth and on marine impacts of climate change.
• India commits to a Coastal Clean Seas Campaign and will work toward a ban on single use plastics, beginning with plastic bags.
• Argentina is currently considering a law to double its MPA area and expand wetlands protection.
• Spain announced a commitment to protect 30% of their marine area by 2030.

UN Ocean Conference Highlights: Tuesday, 28 June 2022

https://enb.iisd.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/enb3235e.pdf