Background
Introduction
In today's world, the health of the ocean is more critical than ever before. As we face challenges such as climate change, overfishing, pollution, biodiversity loss and habitat destruction, it is imperative to prioritize sustainable ocean governance and focus on building a sustainable blue economy.
The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating climate, providing food security, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods for millions of people worldwide, underpinning almost all Sustainable Development Goals. The importance of sustainable ocean governance for global environmental stability and resilience cannot be overstated. Effective ocean governance is instrumental to ensure a healthy planet and the achievement of sustainable development. Furthermore, the ocean provides vast opportunities for economic growth, in particular for developing countries, which can unlock their full potential for economic development while safeguarding the health of marine and coastal ecosystems. A thriving blue economy can create jobs, enhance food security and gender equality, alleviate poverty, and stimulate innovation in coastal communities, driving inclusive development pathways and ensuring long-term prosperity for both present and future generations.
Against this backdrop, the establishment of an ocean fellowship program is meant to cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to address these pressing issues facing the ocean. By fostering collaboration and the sharing of information and experiences among participants, as well as by tapping into the expertise of Portuguese and international scientists, policymakers, economists, and stakeholders, this program will also seek to build capacity in developing countries, enabling them to drive innovative solutions to protect and preserve our marine ecosystems while promoting economic growth and equity. In doing so, this fellowship program aims to strengthen the collective effort towards the successful achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Target participants
Envisaged participants are high level officials from different developing countries, namely heads/deputy heads of national agencies overseeing and responsible for Ocean Policy and/or Ambassadors or their equivalents holding decision-making responsibility in the areas of ocean policy, governance and economy. Given their special relationship with the ocean, as well as the myriad of challenges stemming from their geographical specificities, priority will be given to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the first iterations of this program.
Objectives
The purpose of the United Nations - Portugal Ocean Fellowship Programme is to:
Provide high-level ocean policy officials from UN Member States classified under UN-DESA’s methodology, as published annually in the statistical annex of the WESP, as Developing economies with access to a capacity-sharing programme tailored to the needs of decision-makers, as well as empowering a new generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills to address pressing Ocean-related issues.
Build capacity in developing countries with the view to assisting in the driving of innovative solutions to protect and preserve our marine ecosystems, while promoting economic growth and equity.
Equip participants with further expertise to be an effective ocean policy decision-maker at the national and international level via a unique inter-disciplinary curriculum integrating the key domains of Ocean Governance, Marine Conservation, Sustainable Blue Economy and the Continental Shelf regime.
Facilitate international cooperation and information sharing on ocean-related issues by providing a platform for national high-level officials to network and build relationships with their foreign counterparts, leveraging the expertise of both Portuguese and international experts.
Support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Number of Fellowships
Up to a maximum of 25 (twenty-five) Ocean Fellowships will be awarded per year.
Qualifications
The desired qualifications of nominees include:
The UN-Portugal Ocean Fellowship is intended for high-level officials, namely heads/deputy heads of national agencies overseeing and responsible for Ocean Policy and/or Ambassadors or their equivalents holding decision-making responsibility in the areas of ocean policy, governance and management.
Candidates should have demonstrable experience in ocean policy-making and governance for their respective national authorities. All candidates, including female and indigenous candidates referred below, should be currently employed in the service of their respective Governments with plans to stay in the related role for a medium to long-term period.
Candidates must have a good working knowledge of English as the Fellowship will be conducted only in this language.
The nomination of women candidates is highly encouraged with a view to achieving the equal, full, inclusive, and effective participation of all genders. The United Nations prioritizes the equal participation of women and men in all its sponsored activities, including this Fellowship.
The nomination of indigenous candidates is highly encouraged with a view to achieving the equal, full, inclusive, and effective participation of communities most affected by the challenges posed by the climate/ocean crisis. The United Nations prioritizes the equal participation of all communities in all its sponsored activities, including this Fellowship.
Priority will be given to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), considering an equitable geographic distribution.
Procedure for Submission of Nominations
To nominate a candidate to participate in the Fellowship Programme, two documents are required and should be sent by email to desa-ocean-fellowships@un.org, copying oceanfellowship@mne.pt.
Official communication (i.e., Note Verbale) from the respective Permanent Mission to the United Nations listing all nominations from the Member State (if more than one nomination is made, these should be ranked by order of priority).
Nomination Form must be submitted for each individual candidate.
Deadline for Nominations
Nominations must be received no later than Friday 16 August 2024. Nominations received after this date will not be considered.
Dates and duration of Programme
The first seminar will take place from 14 – 18 October 2024, spanning a total of 5 (five) days (excludes travel time to and from Portugal). Participants are required to attend the whole duration of the Fellowship as the sessions will build on each other. All transportation, accommodation and subsistence costs will be supported by the organizing entities. Further details will be communicated upon selection.
Announcements
