Below are all latest news articles and upcoming events related to Commonwealth Blue Charter.
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The importance of the world’s ocean for human societies and environmental health can hardly be overstated. Approximately 3 billion people across the world rely on a healthy ocean for their food security and livelihoods. The goods and services coastal and oceanic environments provide are conservatively worth US$3 trillion to the global economy per year, equivalent to the fifth-largest economy by gross domestic product in 2015. However, the health of the ocean is under significant threat, facing simultaneous, serious and growing threats from climate change, over-exploitation, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Yet funding thus far has been insufficient. Despite the critical need to protect the ocean and the many mutually beneficial reasons for greater action on ocean issues, Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life under water, is the least funded of all the SDGs by a significant margin. The magnitude of blue finance flows (i.e., finance directed towards sustainable ocean-related activities) is currently too small to meet the scale of the problem.
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A Commonwealth Guide to Availability and Opportunities in Sustainable Blue Finance
Yet funding thus far has been insufficient. Despite the critical need to protect the ocean and the many mutually beneficial reasons for greater action on ocean issues, Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life under water, is the least funded of all the SDGs by a significant margin. The magnitude of blue finance flows (i.e., finance directed towards sustainable ocean-related activities) is currently too small to meet the scale of the problem.
In a recent Blue Dialogues webinar series, convened by the Commonwealth Blue Charter programme, experts from the Marine Action Partnership in The Bahamas expressed the view that strengthened marine law enforcement could hold the key to revolutionising marine conservation.
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Experts say marine law enforcement can revolutionise marine conservation, create jobs and feed millions
16 July 2024 to 16 July 2024
(BST - British Summer Time )
Webinar
We are excited to announce the next webinar in the Commonwealth Blue Charter Blue Dialogue series, From Policy to Practice: Marine Action Partnership and Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Management.
To celebrate World Oceans Day 2024, the Commonwealth highlighted the importance and celebrated women within the space, inviting performance artists, musicians, marine biologists, and more to Marlborough House.
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Celebrating Commonwealth women in ocean science with art, conversation and policy discussions
The Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), a collaboration between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the University of the West Indies, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, was launched yesterday at the 4th Small Islands Developing States (SIDS4) conference in St John’s, Antigua.
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New Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy launched at SIDS4
The Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance (CCOA) is propelling global efforts to combat plastic pollution, a growing menace to our oceans and environment. As part of its ongoing Blue Dialogues webinar series, the Commonwealth Blue Charter programme recently convened a virtual event titled, National Action Plans to End Plastic Pollution.
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Experts share how national plans can help Commonwealth member states combat plastic pollution
29 May 2024 to 29 May 2024
(AST)
Event
Big ocean states (BOS), or Small Island Developing States (SIDS), control 30% of global oceans, holding unique leverage to foster a sustainable blue economy, crucial for attracting necessary investments in Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14).
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will be in Antigua and Barbuda next week for the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4). The conference, taking place from 27-30 May 2024, aims to establish a bold new programme of action to support the sustainability and resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) over the next decade.
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Commonwealth Secretary-General to Advocate for Small States at UN SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda
How the Commonwealth and it's countries' governments are working closer together to create a greener future.
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From Policy to Practice: Training for Effective Plastic Treaty Negotiations for Commonwealth Countries
The Commonwealth's new commitment to protecting biodiversity worldwide
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Blog: The Commonwealth is working toward a greener and healthier Earth
The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will be hosted by Antigua & Barbuda in May 2024, bringing world leaders together to agree on a bold new programme of action for SIDS.
This new 10-year plan will focus on practical and impactful solutions to keep SIDS afloat and give their citizens a sustainable and safe future.
This new 10-year plan will focus on practical and impactful solutions to keep SIDS afloat and give their citizens a sustainable and safe future.
6 June 2024 to 6 June 2024
(BST)
Event
World Oceans Day, celebrated annually on June 8th, is dedicated to recognising the critical role that the ocean plays in our world. Oceans regulate our climate, provide food and resources, and fosters the biodiversity on which we all depend.
Delegates attending the inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting in the Republic of Cyprus today committed to take forward their consultations to upcoming global summits.
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Ministers call for collective ocean action ahead of CHOGM and COP29
The Commonwealth today launched a new toolkit to promote gender-responsive practices in ocean-related occupations.
Turning the Tides of Inclusion: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Ocean Sectors is a guide for policymakers, organisations, and individuals to help promote inclusion and unlock the full potential of sustainable blue economies.
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New gender equality toolkit for the ocean sector
Turning the Tides of Inclusion: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Ocean Sectors is a guide for policymakers, organisations, and individuals to help promote inclusion and unlock the full potential of sustainable blue economies.
The Commonwealth and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Blue Charter Centre of Excellence in Larnaca to strengthen governance for a sustainable blue economy and support scientific research on ocean protection.
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Commonwealth and Cyprus sign MOU on Blue Charter Centre of Excellence
Commonwealth countries, responsible for over a third of national ocean waters globally, can now access newly updated databases offering a compendium of ocean-related finance sources and training opportunities.
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New online resources will help bridge ocean finance and knowledge gaps
The inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will be held on 19 April 2024 in Cyprus, under the theme ‘Our Resilient Common Ocean: from Cyprus to Samoa’.
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Cyprus to host first Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting
Speakers at a Women’s Day webinar on the role of Indo-Pacific women in ocean protection and management have called for more meaningful approaches to gender mainstreaming.
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Celebrating women’s work in ocean disciplines
5 March 2024 to 6 March 2024
(GMT)
Webinar
Join the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with Women Powering Smart Energy, to celebrate women's achievements in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
27 March 2024 to 28 March 2024
(GMT)
Event
Join us for a knowledge exchange event hosted by DEFRA, IUK Business Connect, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, designed for policymakers, industry professionals, and academia, which seeks to foster collaboration and exchange insights on the multifaceted challenges posed by Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG).
Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will establish a shared voice for Commonwealth countries on ocean issues. The inaugural meeting will take place in Cyprus from 18 to 19 April 2024.
The Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator today announced funding for four pioneering government-led projects in Commonwealth countries.
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Commonwealth incubator announces funding for ocean sustainability projects
The Commonwealth, in collaboration with the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) and the UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) held a high level panel discussion today to highlight new and emerging finance for sustainable investment in the ocean.
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Emerging investment streams will unlock blue economy potential
The Commonwealth Secretariat has released a report that highlights the urgent need for coordinated action on the ocean in the plans that countries submit for tackling climate change under the Paris Agreement.
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Commonwealth report guides countries towards stronger ocean-climate action