Over three days, representatives from the 19 member countries gathered to discuss key upcoming events in 2026 including the 我们的海洋会议 in Kenya and COP31 in Türkiye, alongside deliverables from the Ocean Panel’s 2026-2030 workplan.
Key discussions included:
- The ocean and climate change, including Ocean Panel Contributions to the upcoming climate dialogue in Bonn and a forward look to COP31 in Türkiye. Representatives from Fiji presented on the priorities for the pre-COP event they are hosting and Australia presented on preparations for COP31 in their capacity as President of Negotiations.
- Kenya’s Dr Eric Aligula provided an update on preparations for the 我们的海洋会议 taking place in Mombasa 16-18 June.
- The ongoing growth of the “100% approach” and increased adoption of Sustainable Ocean Plans globally.
- Ocean finance, including a presentation from the One Ocean Finance Facility and the latest insights on the enabling conditions and investment pathways to a sustainable ocean economy.
- Ocean equity and the Panel’s work to ensure ocean governance is inclusive co-designed with coastal and Indigenous communities. This included a presentation on the Ocean Dependence Framework a tool that helps policymakers and planners put people at the centre of ocean governance.
- The importance of bolstering the Global Ocean Observing System to improve monitoring, pollution tracking, and extreme-event prediction, including opportunities for technological innovation and collaboration.
- Representatives from Mexico presented on international agreements and how related global processes can help drive delivery of Ocean Panel priorities and strengthen coordinated action by members,
- SDG14 post-2030; and the importance of ensuring a robust ocean presence within the UN’s Sustainable Development agenda.
The meeting concluded with a clear sense of direction on the Panel’s workplan up to 2030, including issues of ocean observation, equity, and finance initiatives.
