Latest content: Commonwealth Blue Charter

Below are all latest news articles and upcoming events related to Commonwealth Blue Charter. 

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Commonwealth Blue Charter

The Commonwealth unpacks critical negotiations for decarbonising global shipping

The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MPEC) is convening this week in London to try to negotiate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the global shipping industry. The discussions are expected to have major implications for global trade, climate action and economic resilience, with almost all of the 56 Commonwealth countries likely to be affected.
Read news - The Commonwealth unpacks critical negotiations for decarbonising global shipping

Blue Charter Blue Dialogue series: A global movement for 100% sustainable ocean management

10 April 2025 to 10 April 2025
(BST)
Webinar
This webinar, in partnership with the 100% Alliance, will focus on the feasibility of 100 per cent sustainable ocean management. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the role of sustainable ocean plans in securing ocean health, economic prosperity and climate resilience.

Blue Dialogues Series: Enabling conditions for blue carbon projects in the Commonwealth

26 March 2025 to 26 March 2025
(GMT)
Webinar
We are excited to announce the next webinar in the Commonwealth Blue Charter Blue Dialogue series.

The Blue Dialogue series provides a platform for Commonwealth Blue Charter members to share their experiences and best practices in addressing ocean challenges, with a focus on national-level initiatives.

Access and benefit-sharing regime for marine genetic resources

17 October 2024 to 17 October 2024
(BST)
Webinar
As part of the Secretariat’s capacity-building and technical-assistance project to assist member countries in their ratification and implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), we are pleased to announce the second webinar in a series of six dedicated to the BBNJ Agreement.

A Commonwealth Guide to Availability and Opportunities in Sustainable Blue Finance

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.
Read publication - A Commonwealth Guide to Availability and Opportunities in Sustainable Blue Finance

New Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy launched at SIDS4

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.
Read news - New Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy launched at SIDS4

Experts share how national plans can help Commonwealth member states combat plastic pollution

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.
Read news - Experts share how national plans can help Commonwealth member states combat plastic pollution

SIDS4 side event: Closing the Blue Funding Gap - Mobilising a Blue Innovation and Impact Fund for Big Ocean States

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).

Commonwealth Secretary-General to Advocate for Small States at UN SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda

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.
Read news - Commonwealth Secretary-General to Advocate for Small States at UN SIDS4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda

Commonwealth at the Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)

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.