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Introduction

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

The Ocean Panel’s action agenda, Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, published in 2020, charts a course towards achieving protection, production and prosperity through transformations across five areas including ocean wealth, ocean health, ocean equity, ocean knowledge, and ocean finance.

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 Sustainable Ocean Plan (SOP) within five years of joining the Ocean Panel.

Transformations Agenda

The 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 Transformations.

The continued engagement of the Ocean Panel leaders in regional and international platforms to motivate greater global interest in and commitment to the Transformations 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

The Ocean Panel’s Transformations 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 Transformations agenda and the resounding Ocean Panel ‘Call to Ocean-Based Climate Action’.

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.

Action Groups

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).

Ocean Action 2030
Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)
Tourism Action Coalition for a Sustainable Ocean (TACSO)
1000 Ocean Startups (1000OS) 
Blue Food Partnerships (BFP) 
Ocean Data Action Coalition (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.

The Ocean Panel’s
Transformations agenda and associated 2030 Outcomes

Transformation
Ocean Wealth
2030 Outcome

Sustainable Ocean Food: Wild fish stocks are restored and harvested at sustainable levels, aquaculture is sustainably grown to meet global needs, and waste is minimised and managed throughout the value chain.

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: Coastal and ocean-based tourism is sustainable, resilient, addresses climate change, reduces pollution, supports ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity conservation and invests in local jobs and communities.

Sustainable Ocean Transport: Shipping investments have effectively accelerated the shift towards zero-emission and low-impact marine vessels.

Sustainable New Ocean Industries: Innovation and investments in new ocean industries have boosted environmentally responsible and inclusive economic growth.

A Precautionary Approach to Seabed Mining: Sufficient knowledge and regulations are in place to ensure that any activity related to seabed mining is informed by science and ecologically sustainable.
Transformation
Ocean Health
2030 Outcome

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Ambitious climate action has set the world on track to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and restore ocean health.

Protect and Restore Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: Marine and coastal ecosystems are healthy, resilient and productive, and nature-based solutions are key elements in developing coastal infrastructure.

Reduce Ocean Pollution: The ocean is no longer a sink for pollution and ocean dead zones are minimised.
Transformation
Ocean Equity
2030 Outcome

Promote Equal Opportunity for People to Benefit from the Ocean: People have equitable access to ocean resources, benefits are fairly distributed and the most vulnerable are protected from the risk of harm.
Transformation
Ocean Knowledge
2030 Outcome

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.
Transformation
Ocean Finance
2030 Outcome

Ocean Finance: Sustainable ocean finance is accessible for all and drives ecologically sustainable and socially equitable economic growth.

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 Transformations 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.

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Ocean Panel Progress Report 2024

Ocean Panel Progress Report 2024

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