Localizing Action for the Ocean: Local and Regional Governments Special Event-2022 United Nations Ocean Conference

Note: this event has passed.

The 2022 UN Ocean Conference offered a unique opportunity for cities and regions to mobilize and demonstrate leadership in taking action to protect our ocean and ensure that the ocean and its accompanying coasts are sustainably managed.

Local and regional governments, and their associations and networks, recognize that the protection of the ocean is pivotal to the conservation of common and natural resources. Ocean and maritime ecosystems are a paramount source of biodiversity, food and jobs, and represent cultural values deeply embodied by traditional communities, islands and coastal cities. The Special Event was an opportunity to stress the presence of ‘urban-ocean linkages’, and how local and regional governments should be engaged in global efforts and decisions to protect the ocean and maritime resources, including food. The Special Event also highlighted the crucial role of multi-level governance and multi-stakeholder collaboration to strengthen the science-policy interface, as well as to improve data systems and seek innovative solutions at all levels.

This Special Event created an opportunity for local and regional governments and their networks, national governments, and other stakeholders to exchange experiences and good practices of SDG 14 implementation at the local level. It offered a space for local and regional governments and other stakeholders to announce specific Ocean Action Commitments. Additionally, it facilitated a discussion on opportunities and initiatives that can support sustainable adaptation for coastal cities and regions, including financing innovation and scaling up Ocean protection.

This Special Event was hosted by the co-hosts of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, the Governments of Portugal and Kenya, together with the City of Matosinhos, and organized in collaboration with UN DESA, UN Global Compact, the Climate Champions Team and networks of local and regional governments gathered in the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, Regions4, Ocean & Climate Platform, the OECD, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG),Resilient Cities Network and the International Association Cities & Ports (AIVP). 

The official summary of the event is published here. 

Statements

• Ms. Ana Paula Vitorino, President of Mobility and Transport Authority and former Minister of the Sea, Portugal (in Portuguese)

• Senator Marc. R. Pacheco, Massachusetts, United States of America

• Ms. Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network (Closing remarks)