Caribbean leaders formally launched a landmark political declaration on marine conservation on Tuesday throughout a high-level occasion on the United Nations Ocean Convention (UNOC3), signaling a united regional push towards defending 30% of the area’s ocean house by 2030.
The declaration, titled “Actioning Blue: Caribbean 30×30 Imaginative and prescient for the Ocean,” was unveiled aboard the Artwork Explorer vessel docked at Port Lympia. It represents a renewed name to motion by Caribbean governments, constructing on earlier initiatives and aligning with worldwide targets just like the Kunming-Montreal World Biodiversity Framework and Sustainable Growth Objective 14.
The occasion was co-hosted by the Authorities of Grenada, the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), and the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) Secretariat/ProCaribe+ Mission Unit. It drew participation from high-level officers and ministers representing the OECS, wider Caribbean, and Latin America.
“This can be a second value celebrating,” mentioned Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Growth for St. Kitts and Nevis. “Caribbean nations are proving that we aren’t outlined by vulnerability—we’re outlined by our capability to steer.”
A blueprint for regional ocean governance
The Actioning Blue roadmap is a part of a broader Caribbean push to strengthen marine governance, increase marine protected areas, and advance sustainable blue economic system objectives. It builds on the legacy of the 2008 Caribbean Problem Initiative, which helped safeguard almost 49,000 sq. kilometers of marine ecosystems.
The launch additionally coincides with the continued OECS 30×30 Transformation Mission, supported by the SPACES coalition and delivered by means of the OECS Council of Ministers of Sustainability. Via coordinated coverage reform, technical help, and assist for science and community-driven conservation, Caribbean governments intention to make sure their ocean sources bolster local weather resilience, meals safety, and financial well-being.
H.E. Safiya Sawney, Particular Envoy for Local weather of Grenada, emphasised the political significance of unity: “Let it’s recognized—the Caribbean is not only taking part within the world ocean agenda, we’re shaping it.”
Ocean coordination mechanism in focus
The occasion additionally spotlighted the rising position of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM)—a voluntary, government-led platform that brings collectively 19 Caribbean nations and 9 intergovernmental organizations. The OCM is targeted on enhancing collaboration for sustainable ocean growth throughout the area.
Karen McDonald Gayle, CEO of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, praised the timing and synergy of the joint initiatives. “This coordinated launch is not any accident. It exhibits that we’re severe about bridging gaps and breaking silos. We’re managing the ocean collectively.”
UNOC3, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, continues this week underneath the theme “Scaling up Ocean Motion Primarily based on Science and Innovation.” With Actioning Blue and the OCM gaining worldwide consideration, Caribbean nations are positioning themselves as key gamers in world ocean governance—backed by shared ambition and regional solidarity.
