From new commitments and an expanded membership, to achieving targets, the Ocean Panel has showcased tangible progress in driving sustainable ocean management, climate action and innovative solutions. Below explore some top highlights from this year’s COP:
Brazil joins the Ocean Panel
At COP30, Brazil became the 19e member of the Ocean Panel, committing to sustainable management of all 3.68 million km² of its national waters. Brazil’s EEZ is the tenth largest in the world and boasts the longest coastline in South America. Its waters underpin an ocean economy that contributes roughly 19% of Brazil’s GDP, supports 3.5 million jobs in fisheries and aquaculture and drives around 70% of national tourism revenue. Brazil also ratified the High Seas Treaty at COP30.
“Without the ocean, we cannot truly confront climate change. We must harness its immense potential to reduce emissions and protect our coasts from extreme weather. The ocean is central to Brazil’s culture, diet and livelihoods, and building a sustainable ocean economy will open new opportunities for Brazilians. That’s why we have joined the Ocean Panel in its vision to safeguard the ocean and use its resources wisely and responsibly.” - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil.
Ghana publishes SOP
Also at COP30, Ghana launched its Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP). The plan presents the long-term stewardship of Ghana’s marine and coastal environments and is structured around six strategic pillars: ocean wealth, ocean health, ocean knowledge, ocean equity, ocean finance and maritime security. The SOP sets out to sustainably manage 100% of Ghana’s EEZ, an area of 235,349 km². It articulates a clear national vision to safeguard marine ecosystems while enabling the sustainable use of ocean resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
Blue NDC challenge
6 new member countries joined the Blue NDC Challenge to champion ocean-climate action in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Canada, Indonesia and Portugal joined, bringing the total up to 13 Ocean Panel members represented in the Challenge. At a ministerial event, members expressed the intention to transition into the “Blue NDC Taskforce”, to drive implementation of ocean commitments in the 2025 NDC cycle, by mobilizing political leadership, technical expertise and investment.
Kenya confirms date and location for OOC
Ocean Panel member country Kenya will host Africa’s first Our Ocean Conference (OOC) from 16-18 June 2026 in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. The dates and theme were confirmed by representatives of the Kenyan government at an event in the Ocean Pavilion at COP30. Entitled Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future, OOC11 will place a global spotlight on ocean action and leadership across Africa and highlight the unique coastal communities, biodiversity, and ecosystems of Kenya and East Africa. Watch a video speech from Secretary John Kerry celebrating Kenya’s leadership.
Two new members of Ocean Action 2030
La Ocean Action 2030 coalition welcomed two new institutional members, UN Capital Development Fund and OceanMind. These organisations will significantly expand Ocean Action 2030’s ability to support countries in both the financing and implementation of Sustainable Ocean Plans – a critical step to building a sustainable ocean economy and delivering real impact on the ground.
COP30 Presidency Priorities
La 100% Alliance was recognised in the COP30 Presidency’s Action Agenda, as part of Key Objective #7 – Efforts to preserve and restore oceans and coastal ecosystems (also known as “the Blue Package”. The initiative co-chaired by Australia and Chile, supports a global push for countries to sustainably manage 100% of their ocean areas through national Sustainable Ocean Plans.
Prince Albert of Monaco Awards
Ocean Panel Sherpa Co-Chair, Ambassador Ilana Seid was awarded the Order of Saint-Charles, one of the highest distinctions of the Principality of Monaco, in recognition for her contributions to the this year’s Blue Economy and Finance Forum. Ashok Adicéam from the French Ocean Panel team was also awarded Knight of the Order of Cultural Merit for his contributions to ocean action this year.
Blue Paper published in Nature’s NPJ Ocean Sustainability
The 2024 Ocean Panel Blue Paper, Co-producing Sustainable Ocean Plans with Indigenous and traditional knowledge holders, has been published in NPJ Ocean Sustainability. The paper explores how Indigenous and traditional knowledge can be integrated into policymaking processes to create Sustainable Ocean Plans.
COP31
It was confirmed on Thursday that COP31 will be held in 2026 in Antalya, Turkey where it’s hoped that the ocean will be a central pillar to theme of the conference.
