CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) for the broader Caribbean has been formally activated, marking a big achievement in advancing the sustainable administration of marine assets within the area.
The Bahamas turned the most recent nation to signal the settlement final month, whereas UNESCO did so earlier this month. Thus, 17 States and 9 intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), enabling the creation of a coordination mechanism to assist built-in ocean governance within the Caribbean and the North Brazil Shelf Massive Marine Ecosystems.
The OCM facilitates enhanced collaboration amongst international locations, IGOs, and different ocean stakeholders, selling well-coordinated efforts to revive and protect the area’s invaluable marine ecosystems. By fostering synergies and enhancing effectivity, it goals to handle vital environmental challenges whereas unlocking a wholesome ocean’s financial, ecological, and social advantages.
Key initiatives of the OCM embrace growing a holistic ocean motion program, launching a periodic reporting mechanism on the “State of the Marine Surroundings and Related Economies,” and supporting the strengthening of climate-resilient ocean-based economies, the latter of key significance for the area’s many Small Island Growing States (SIDS).
Globally, there may be rising recognition of the necessity for enhanced coordination among the many many organizations and establishments coping with marine assets. The broader Caribbean area has positioned itself as a frontrunner by pioneering this distinctive mechanism.
With extra memberships anticipated later this yr, the intention is that the OCM will in the end convey collectively 11 IGOs, together with a number of UN businesses, in addition to the governments of the 32 states and territories from the area.
Antigua and Barbuda’s minister of International Affairs and Commerce, E.P. Chet Inexperienced, stated his authorities stays “dedicated to fostering partnerships and coordination to realize and safeguard wholesome marine and coastal ecosystems.
“These ecosystems are key drivers for thriving, sustainable, and climate-resilient ocean-based economies within the wider Caribbean area and hemisphere,” he stated.
The Director Common of the Organisation of Jap Caribbean States (OECS), Dr. Didacus Jules, stated the OECS Fee is thrilled that the OCM has formally come into impact, marking a big milestone within the collective efforts to safeguard the well being of the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf marine ecosystems.
“This achievement displays the tireless work and collaboration of intergovernmental organizations and international locations devoted to sustainable ocean governance. The OCM will undoubtedly strengthen regional cooperation, promote sustainable fisheries, and contribute to the resilience of our coastal and marine environments, in the end driving the prosperity and well-being of livelihoods and economies.
“As the primary intergovernmental company to signal the MOU, the OECS is honored to function the convener of the inaugural govt group assembly and appears ahead to offering preliminary management on this vital initiative,” he added.
The director of the Blue Economic system at Belize’s Ministry of Blue Economic system and Catastrophe Danger Administration, Felicia Cruz, stated, “This endorsement underscores Belize’s dedication to the sustainable administration and utilization of our ocean assets, aligning with our broader targets of fostering a resilient blue financial system.
“We sit up for strengthening collaborative efforts with our regional companions by way of operationalizing the OCM.”
Coordinator of the United Nations Surroundings Programme (UNEP), Cartagena Conference Secretariat, Christopher Corbin, stated given the position of the Cartagena Conference and its protocols in supporting work on two of the numerous transboundary points dealing with the broader Caribbean area, air pollution, and marine biodiversity loss, the formalization of the Ocean Coordinating Mechanism is vital to additional strengthening of the connection between the Secretariat and different regional organizations concerned in oceans governance.
“The OCM will allow more practical use of restricted assets and in the end the sustainable administration and use of coastal and marine assets within the area. We sit up for taking part in a vital position as a part of this governance framework transferring ahead,” he added.
Different Caribbean international locations which have signed on to the OCM MoU are Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, and Suriname.
