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Introducción

The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) represents nations of highly diverse oceanic, economic, and political perspectives

The Ocean Panel consists of Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Palau, Portugal, Seychelles, the United Arab Emirates*, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

*The UAE joined as the 19th and newest Ocean Panel member country in September 2024. As it was not a member at the time of writing, this report does not contain progress data on the UAE.

The Ocean Panel’s Agenda

La agenda de acción del Ocean Panel, Transformaciones para una Economía Oceánica Sostenible, published in 2020, charts a course towards achieving protection, production and prosperity through transformations across five areas including riqueza oceánica, salud del océano, equidad oceánica, conocimiento del océano, y finanzas oceánicas.

It presents a framework with 14 outcomes for 2030 within the five pillars and 74 priority actions to achieve them. While Ocean Panel members have not individually committed to achieving all 74 priority actions, recognising different national contexts, they have committed to deliver on the 2030 outcomes.

A central tenet of this agenda is a commitment to 100% sustainable ocean management and for each country to develop and implement a Plan Océano Sostenible (SOP) within five years of joining the Ocean Panel.

Transformations Agenda

los Ocean Panel’s Transformations agenda is rooted in political will and multi-stakeholder, responsive action including:

The delivery of the Transformations Agenda at home by each Ocean Panel member country, adapted to local needs and priorities.

Country-led action initiatives, with other members and with countries outside of the Ocean Panel, to progress priority actions from the Transformaciones.

The continued engagement of the Ocean Panel leaders in regional and international platforms to motivate greater global interest in and commitment to the Transformaciones agenda, including advocating for all coastal and ocean states to join them in this commitment so that by 2030 all ocean areas under national jurisdiction are sustainably managed.

3 Strategic Pillars

El panel del océano Transformaciones agenda and priority actions are underpinned by an unprecedented scientific knowledge base, including over 25 commissioned Blue Papers and Special Reports written and peer reviewed by over 350 ocean experts representing more than 54 countries.

Given the multi-sectoral nature of many ocean issues, no recommendation could possibly be realised through the actions of just one entity or one sector. Coordinated approaches break down silos and cross-fertilise ideas that offer effective protection, sustainable production and equitable prosperity—the hallmarks of a sustainable ocean economy. The Ocean Panel represents leadership from the highest decision-making offices to turn knowledge into action.

Together, these priority actions chart the route ahead to 2030 towards a sustainable ocean economy—including the conclusion of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

KNOWLEDGE
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ACTION
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POLICY
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From Knowledge to Policy to Action

The Ocean Panel has catalysed the formation of eight dynamic Action Groups, in response to the Transformaciones agenda and the resounding Ocean Panel ‘Llamado a la acción climática basada en los océanos'.

These Action Groups have consisted of diverse entities from the public, private, financial, research and civil society sectors, to accelerate, scale and finance ocean action, operating at tipping points where collaboration is key to achieving the results desired in a sustainable ocean economy.

Grupos de acción

These Action Groups draw inspiration and strategic insights from the Ocean Panel’s reports, known as Blue Papers, charting a course for impactful initiatives (Appendix 1).

Acción oceánica 2030
Asociación Global de Cuentas Oceánicas (GOAP)
Coalición de Acción Turística para un Océano Sostenible (TACSO)
1000 Ocean Startups (1000OS) 
Blue Food Partnerships (BFP) 
Coalición de Acción de Datos Oceánicos (ODAC) 
Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition (OREAC)
Shipping Decarbonisation

Going Global

The Ocean Panel’s commitment to sustainable ocean management extends beyond its member countries, as evidenced by its efforts to encourage global adoption of its transformative approach. This was demonstrated at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

In this event, the Ocean Panel issued a joint declaration that recognises the critical need to sustainably manage 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction, and urges other island and coastal countries to join the declaration. The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States joined the declaration and the Ocean Action 2030 coalition.

Additionally, Pacific Island leaders launched their 2050 Strategy and Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative to forge ground-breaking partnerships to access funding tailored to the needs of the Pacific region, while committing to 100% effective sustainable ocean management, and 30 percent protection of the Blue Pacific Continent following the Ocean Panel’s headline commitment. The proposal received a US$225 million pledge to protect and rejuvenate the region’s ecosystems and empower communities through 2050.

The combined exclusive economic zones of Ocean Panel members constitute 68,261,389 square kilometres, twice the landmass of North America and Russia and combined.

Coming Together for a Sustainable Ocean Economy

Nations large and small, across all ocean basins, at every stage of economic development and at every extreme of the ocean environment—from the tropics to the Arctic—are coming together for a sustainable ocean economy.

Figure 2. Geographic spread of the Ocean Panel membership

Ocean Panel countries account for approximately:

36%

WORLD MANGROVE COVER

Ocean Panel countries cover more than 36% of the world’s mangroves.

Globe

45% TOTAL EEZ AREA

Ocean Panel countries represent 45% of the total global exclusive economic zone area.

23% TOTAL MERCHANT VESSEL FLEET

Ocean Panel countries contain 23% of the total merchant vessel fleet (average 2019-2021) by beneficial ownership.

67%

67% TOTAL GLOBAL MPA AREA

Ocean Panel countries contain 67% total, marine protected area coverage within their EEZs.

50%
TOTAL COASTLINE LENGTH

Ocean Panel countries represent 50% of the total global coastline length.

Net
21%

21% TOTAL FISH CATCH,
WILD AND AQUACULTURE

Ocean Panel countries hold 21% of the total fish catch, both wild and aquaculture, averaged between 2019, 2020 and 2021.

El panel del océano
Transformations agenda and associated 2030 Outcomes

Transformación
riqueza oceánica
Resultado 2030

Sustainable Ocean Food: Las poblaciones de peces silvestres se restauran y cosechan a niveles sostenibles, la acuicultura se cultiva de manera sostenible para satisfacer las necesidades globales y los desechos se minimizan y gestionan a lo largo de la cadena de valor.

Sustainable Ocean Energy: Ocean-based renewable energy is fast-growing and on the path to becoming a leading source of energy for the world.

Sustainable Ocean-Based Tourism: El turismo costero y oceánico es sostenible, resiliente, aborda el cambio climático, reduce la contaminación, apoya la regeneración de ecosistemas y la conservación de la biodiversidad e invierte en empleos y comunidades locales.

Sustainable Ocean Transport: Las inversiones en transporte marítimo han acelerado efectivamente el cambio hacia embarcaciones marinas de bajo impacto y cero emisiones.

Sustainable New Ocean Industries: La innovación y las inversiones en nuevas industrias oceánicas han impulsado un crecimiento económico ambientalmente responsable e inclusivo.

A Precautionary Approach to Seabed Mining: Existen suficientes conocimientos y regulaciones para garantizar que cualquier actividad relacionada con la minería de los fondos marinos esté informada por la ciencia y sea ecológicamente sostenible.
Transformación
Salud del océano
Resultado 2030

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: La acción climática ambiciosa ha encaminado al mundo para lograr los objetivos del Acuerdo de París y restaurar la salud de los océanos.

Protect and Restore Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: Los ecosistemas marinos y costeros son saludables, resistentes y productivos, y las soluciones basadas en la naturaleza son elementos clave en el desarrollo de la infraestructura costera.

Reduce Ocean Pollution: El océano ya no es un sumidero de contaminación y las zonas muertas del océano se minimizan.
Transformación
Equidad oceánica
Resultado 2030

Promote Equal Opportunity for People to Benefit from the Ocean: Las personas tienen acceso equitativo a los recursos oceánicos, los beneficios se distribuyen equitativamente y los más vulnerables están protegidos del riesgo de daño.
Transformación
Conocimiento del océano
Resultado 2030

Build Ocean Literacy and Skills: Through the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science, ocean literacy has been enhanced worldwide. People understand the value of the ocean and have acquired the skills and knowledge to participate in the sustainable ocean economy.

Account for the Value of the Ocean: Decision making affecting the ocean reflects the value of and impacts on the ocean’s natural capital. Harness Ocean Science, Technology and Data: A globally shared data revolution has contributed to sustainable ocean management worldwide.
Transformación
Finanzas oceánicas
Resultado 2030

Ocean Finance: La financiación oceánica sostenible es accesible para todos e impulsa un crecimiento económico ecológicamente sostenible y socialmente equitativo.

The Ocean Panel’s Second Progress Report

In 2022, the Ocean Panel released its first progress Report, highlighting its leadership in advancing actions across the five core pillars of the Transformaciones agenda.

The first progress report, in the early stages of the Ocean Panel, focused on a growing number of public commitments made by member countries at the Our Ocean Conference and the UN Ocean Conference each year.

This report offers a dynamic insight into the proactive strides taken by Ocean Panel members since the Ocean Panel’s inception in 2018.

This second report goes beyond the first progress report,  and acknowledges that progress towards the Ocean Panel’s 2030 goals is advancing, ongoing and complex, and that the journey towards a fully sustainable ocean economy is a long-term endeavour, faced with both challenges still to overcome and many opportunities to be realised.

While not exhaustive, these actions, policies and coalitions serve as compelling highlights, illustrating the diverse spectrum of actions unfolding across all Ocean Panel countries. This report’s focus is on tracking action rather than merely measuring ambition—a distinction that underscores the urgency and impact of tangible progress in advancing ocean sustainability.

The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) is a global initiative led by 14 world leaders committed to creating a sustainable ocean economy that balances effective protection, sustainable production, and equitable prosperity. Since its establishment in 2018, the Ocean Panel has collaborated with governments, businesses, scientists, and civil society to develop bold, practical solutions for ocean sustainability. Co-chaired by Norway and Palau, the Ocean Panel’s work includes comprehensive research and partnerships aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and shaping a resilient future for both people and the planet.

Aprende más
Ocean Panel Progress Report 2024

Ocean Panel Progress Report 2024

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