Progress report for
Supporting a Blue Commonwealth
Achievement at a glance
The Commonwealth Blue Charter applies the principles of the Charter of the Commonwealth to the sustainable development and protection of the ocean.<br>
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<br>In April 2018, the 53 Heads of Commonwealth Governments adopted the Commonwealth Blue Charter. Their landmark decision will affect more than one third of the world’s national coastal waters, helping to sustain livelihoods and ecosystems globally. The Heads also mandated the Commonwealth Secretariat to develop an implementation plan.
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<br>The agreed implementation mechanism is to establish Action Groups on ocean issues led by Commonwealth member countries, which will collaborate with partners at national, regional, and international levels, in addressing identified priority ocean issues of member countries.
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<br>As of 1 January 2020, 13 Commonwealth countries have stepped forward to lead ten Action Groups on priority areas of ocean action under the Blue Charter:
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<br>Australia, Belize and Mauritius champion the Action Group on the protection and restoration of coral reefs;
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<br>Fiji champions the Action Group on climate change and ocean, including blue carbon sequestration by coastal vegetation and the development of resilient, low-carbon coastal cities;
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<br>UK and Vanuatu champion the Action Group tackling ocean plastic pollution, the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, supported by the UK’s £61m commitment to tackling marine litter;
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<br>Sri Lanka champion the Action Group on mangrove ecosystems and livelihood;
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<br>Cyprus champions the Action Group on sustainable aquaculture;
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<br>Kenya champions the Action Group on blue economy;
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<br>New Zealand champions the Action Group on ocean acidification;
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<br>Canada champions the Action Group on ocean observations;
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<br>Seychelles champions the Action Group on marine protected areas; and
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<br>Kiribati champions the Action Group on sustainable coastal fisheries.
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<br>Thirty-eight countries have joined one or more Action Groups. The goals of the Action Groups are to cross-promote shared technical, scientific and policy solutions to effect broader implementation and change. The coordination of the Blue Charter and its plan of action is led by the Commonwealth Secretariat, building on its long record of country technical assistance in maritime delimitation, ocean policy and blue economy development.