Commonwealth High Commissioners and other member country representatives recently met at Marlborough House for a briefing on the implementation of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, adopted in Samoa at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The briefing provided member countries with a vision for the Commonwealth at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, to be held in June.
Members of the Commonwealth Ocean team showcased the progress made and outlined the next steps in implementing the declaration, including through technical assistance projects, the Blue Charter Incubator and the Blue Finance Working Group. High Commissioners also had an opportunity to reaffirm their country’s commitment and explore how to translate the declaration’s goals into practical, country-level outcomes.
The declaration is a landmark political commitment to ocean action, calling for bold steps to conserve marine biodiversity, build resilience to climate change, reduce marine pollution and support a sustainable blue economy.
In her remarks, H.E Francella Strickland, High Commissioner of Samoa to the United Kingdom, emphasised the significance of the Declaration:
“The Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration is more than words on paper—it is a call to action and a significant signal of commitment from the Commonwealth family on the importance of the resilience of the ocean. Samoa is pleased this historic agreement was endorsed in the heart of the Blue Pacific by the Commonwealth leaders and welcomes the current focus to implement its vision with real, tangible support.”
The Secretariat is supporting implementation through:
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The ten Blue Charter Action Groups, which focus on issues such as coral reef restoration, mangrove protection, and sustainable coastal fisheries;
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The Blue Charter Incubator, which provides small grants to governments and partners to test and scale innovative ocean solutions;
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The Blue Finance Working Group, which is helping countries unlock investment for sustainable ocean projects; and
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Tailored technical assistance on key legal and policy issues, including the Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, maritime transport, and ocean governance.
Participants also received updates on the development of two Centres of Excellence to serve as regional hubs for innovative Commonwealth ocean protection and capacity building.
Dr Maria Hadjimichael, senior associate scientist at Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, highlighted the upcoming plans for their Centre of Excellence:
“Cyprus is proud to host a Centre of Excellence focused on the implementation of the Blue Charter. This initiative will foster research innovation partnerships, knowledge-sharing and capacity building for a fair, inclusive, and sustainable approach to ocean protection and economic development across the Commonwealth.”
Dr Branson Belle, Director of the Centre for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), underscored the Caribbean’s leadership and commitment:
“The University of West Indies, in partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the government of Antigua and Barbuda, hosts a Centre of Excellence that builds regional capacity in ocean science, policy, and finance. These centres will be instrumental in turning the commitments of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration into action on the ground.”
A key theme throughout the session was partnership and collaboration, with many High Commissioners expressing support for the continued role of the Commonwealth as a convenor, knowledge broker and technical partner in building stronger ocean governance whilst protecting marine biodiversity.
For further information, contact the Commonwealth Blue Charter team at [email protected].
Media contact
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Suné Kitshoff Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- M: +44 7740 450 901 | E-mail
