Background
Convened under the auspices of the United Nations and co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, the “United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” will be held from 27 June to 1 July in Lisbon, Portugal, under the overarching theme: “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions”.
The 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference comes at a critical time as the world is seeking to address many of the deep-rooted problems of our societies laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and which will require major structural transformations and common shared solutions that are anchored in the SDGs. To mobilize action, the Conference will seek to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action.
Local and Regional Governments and SDG 14
Many coastal cities and regions around the world are directly threatened by climate change and related risks, including sea-level rise, as well as the increase in extreme weather events that affect people’s lives, ecosystems and economies. While several coastal cities and regions are developing plans on how to adapt to climate change, not all are prepared well enough. Furthermore, many citizens of coastal cities and regions depend directly on the ocean for their livelihoods, making it important to promote peer learning and sharing of good practices amongst cities and regions on how to promote a Blue Economy, encourage the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improve livelihoods and jobs, while protecting the ocean ecosystem health.
The 2022 UN Ocean Conference offers a unique opportunity for coastal cities and regions to mobilize and demonstrate leadership in taking action to protect our ocean and ensure that the ocean and its accompanying coast are sustainably managed.
Objectives event
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To create awareness amongst cities and regions and their networks about the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, including the preparatory process, and opportunities of engagement.
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To initiate a discussion on how to mobilize new Ocean Action commitments and initiatives by cities and regions that could become part of the outcome of the Conference.
Format
The event was held fully virtual on Zoom, on Thursday 17 February from 9-10:30 AM, EST. It featured opening remarks from senior representatives of the Conference’s co-hosts, Portugal and Kenya, and remarks by the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean, Ambassador Peter Thomson. The second half of the event featured a round table with interventions from representatives of key city networks, as well as representatives of local and regional governments from coastal areas across the globe, with due consideration of gender and geographical balance.
Target audience
Representatives of local and regional governments and their networks.
Organizers
The briefing was organized by UN DESA in its capacity as the secretariat of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, UN Global Compact and the Climate Champions Team.
For more information on the 2022 Ocean Conference, please visit the main website.
Announcements
Please find the summary of the virtual briefing in the "documentation" tab.
