Commonwealth Blue Charter

The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 56 Commonwealth countries to actively cooperate to:

→ solve ocean-related challenges

→ meet commitments for sustainable ocean action.

Commonwealth Blue Charter

The underlying principles of the Blue Charter come from the Charter of the Commonwealth, which was signed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013.

The Blue Charter helps Commonwealth countries work together on a fair, inclusive and sustainable approach to ocean protection and economic development.

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The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 56 Commonwealth countries, adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, April 2018. In the Blue Charter, Commonwealth countries agree to actively cooperate to solve ocean-related problems and meet commitments for sustainable ocean development, with particular emphasis on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups implement the Blue Charter. They are member-driven, led by ‘Champion’ countries’. To date, 16 countries have stepped forward to be Champions on ten topics they identified as priorities. Action Groups will unlock the power of 56 nations and guide the development of tools and training, they are: Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, Coral Reef Protection and Restoration, Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods, Marine Protected Areas, Ocean Acidification, Ocean and Climate Change, Ocean Observation, Sustainable Aquaculture, Sustainable Blue Economy and Sustainable Coastal Fisheries.

Read an overview leaflet to learn more

Download the Commonwealth Blue Charter

Action Groups

The Commonwealth Blue Charter works through a set of Action Groups, each devoted to a particular ocean issue. Action Groups are driven by member countries, led by ‘Champion’ countries.

So far 16 countries have stepped forward to be Champions on 10 topics. Action Groups will unlock the power of 56 nations and guide the development of tools and training.

Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance
Coral Reef Protection and Restoration
Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods
Marine Protected Areas
Ocean Acidification
Ocean and Climate Change
Ocean Observation
Sustainable Aquaculture
Sustainable Blue Economy
Sustainable Coastal Fisheries

Action Groups will unlock the power of 56 nations and guide the development of tools and training.

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Did you know?

out of 56 Commonwealth countries have marine coastlines

36%

of national marine waters are in the Commonwealth

2600km

is the length of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef

Commonwealth countries have 45% of the world's coral reefs

45%

of Commonwealth countries are small island developing states – those most vulnerable to ocean and climate change

Ocean Ministers Meeting

The inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting was held on 19 April 2024 in Cyprus, under the theme ‘Our Resilient Common Ocean: from Cyprus to Samoa’.

Commonwealth ministers responsible for ocean affairs met to establish the principles, priorities and actions for a Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, and to agree a roadmap which will pave the way for the adoption of the declaration at CHOGM 2024 in Samoa.

Ocean Action Report 2022

This report serves as a compilation of action under the 10 Action Groups, in the context of wider Commonwealth Ocean action, with the aim of highlighting the impact of the Commonwealth Blue Charter.

Download report (PDF)