High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Workplan 2026-2030
Introduction
Building on the momentum of 2025, this workplan outlines the Ocean Panel strategy for 2026–2030. This workplan was developed from collective national priorities, identified during bilateral meetings and breakout sessions, into decisive actions that enhance sustainable ocean governance, integrate international commitments, and strengthen the Ocean Panel’s global leadership.
The 2026–2030 workplan positions the Ocean Panel to transition from momentum-building in 2025 to deep, transformative impact. By integrating national priorities with global commitments and leveraging strategic partnerships, this draft workplan will advance 100% sustainable ocean management, drive the Transformation Agenda forward, and ensure that ocean governance is both equitable and resilient.
Strategic Objective
To ensure that Ocean Panel members implement high-quality, evidence-based Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs) that serve as a unifying framework for national ocean governance, linking directly to the priorities of the Transformations Agenda such as low-carbon food systems, resilient coastal economies, and equitable stakeholder participation.
Strategic Themes and Outcomes
The Workplan focuses on seven priority thematic topics identified by members:
1. 100% sustainable ocean management & Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs) – Ocean Panel Headline Commitment
2. Global Ocean Observations
3. Ocean Climate Nexus
4. Blue Foods1
5. Ocean Equity
6. Ocean Finance
7. Implementation and Ratification of International Agreements
Each theme includes: a 2030 outcome, core outputs for 2026–2030, key performance indicators (KPIs), and delivery mechanisms.
Annual Planning Framework
Each year (2026–2030), the Secretariat will co-develop annual plans using the structure from the 2025 workplan, organised around:
Leadership Moments – the activation of leaders and ministers at key international‘moments’ to demonstrate leadership and drive forward ambition, action and to enhance the Ocean Panel’s visibility on the world stage.
Championing and Demonstrating Action – This theme focuses on advancing priority actions through dedicated champions2 within the Ocean Panel, while transparently showcasing the benefits and progress of a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Enhancing Knowledge and Strategic Communication – This theme emphasises joint learning and the development of tools to share the Ocean Panel’s collective stances, while also amplifying key messages and progress through strategic engagement and outreach.
These plans will be reviewed annually by Sherpas and aligned with the global policy calendar (COPs, UNOCs, OOC, etc.).
1 Also referred to as “aquatic food”—encompasses all edible aquatic organisms. For the purposes of the Ocean Panel, marine aquatic food includes finfish, shellfish (e.g. molluscs and crustaceans), seaweed, and other marine organisms that are harvested or cultivated for human consumption, whether from wild capture fisheries or marine aquaculture (mariculture).
2 To drive forward key priority collective action areas, champions across the Ocean Panel membership are required, whereby the champions role is intended to spearhead specific collective action topics on behalf of the Ocean Panel, building momentum to driving forward action, working intersessionally with a small group of members and the Secretariat.
- Ocean Panel Headline Commitment
- Global Ocean Observations
- Ocean–Climate Nexus
- Blue Foods
- Équité océanique
- Financement des océans
- Implementation and Ratification of International Agreements
2026-30 Workplan
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Thematic Topic
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Global Ocean Observations
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Transformations Agenda 2030 Outcome
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Une révolution des données partagées à l'échelle mondiale a contribué à la gestion durable des océans dans le monde entier.
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Workplan Outcomes
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A strengthened, internationally coordinated ocean observation system that supports evidence-based decision-making, early warning systems, and sutainable ocean planning.
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Outputs
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– Host a High-Level Session on Ocean Observations (e.g. at COP, IUCN, or Ocean Panel meeting). – Issue a Joint Statement or Call to Action on the urgency of reversing the decline in ocean observing capacity. – Develop a policy brief framing ocean observations as a global public good. – Promote shared investment models and regional cooperation on data sharing and capacity building.
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KPIs
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– Number of OP members contributing to shared ocean observation infrastructure. – Number of high-level endorsements or commitments secured. – Increase in global ocean observation coverage (spatial and temporal).
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Delivery
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– Leverage global events (e.g. COP, UNOC) for visibility and commitments. – Collaborate with IOC, GOOS, and other global initiatives. – Facilitate regional dialogues and technical workshops. – Engage with finance and development partners to support infrastructure investment.
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