Progress report for
Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme
Achievement at a glance
Launched by the UK Prime Minister at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2016, the aim of the CME Programme is to support 17 Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in identifying the potential of and developing their marine economies in a sustainable, resilient and integrated way.<br>
<br>Working in close partnership with the SIDS governments and through the use of sound scientific data, the programme is promoting growth, innovation, jobs and investment, whilst safeguarding the ocean and its fragile ecosystems.
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<br>In the Pacific and Caribbean regions the programme is helping SIDS to better understand their existing maritime economies, the impact of climate change, and to build their adaptive capacities. Through the provision of key equipment and capacity building programmes, a number of nations now have the capacity to undertake seabed mapping, monitor ocean acidification and sea level rise, and collect tidal data. Through strong partnerships with Pacific and Caribbean Governments, work is also underway to develop bespoke national Maritime Economy Plans for Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Tuvalu that will assess existing maritime sectors and identify opportunities and obstacles to development, which those countries can use to drive economic growth and alleviate poverty. The Plans are expected to ensure the CME Programme leaves a lasting legacy by helping nations to chart a sustainable course towards prosperity for their people and protection of their ocean.
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<br>Further details on the programme (including pictures) can be found here (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/commonwealth-marine-economies-programme).
Beneficiaries
17 Commonwealth SIDS – Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu
Actions
The Programme has helped provide a number of SIDS with accurate hydrographic and scientific data, and training to manage and develop their marine economies. The programme has also enabled training and capacity building for Commonwealth Small States’ national bodies involved in the research and management of marine resources. The information will support the SIDS' own recognition of marine economies as an avenue for sustainable development.<br>
<br>The Programme is also working with a number of countries to develop bespoke Maritime Economy Plans. These Plans will map the existing maritime economy sectors in each country and identify opportunities and obstacles for sustainably growing and strengthening the national maritime economy, while safeguarding the health of the ocean.