The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 54 Commonwealth countries to actively co-operate to:
- solve ocean-related problems
- meet commitments for sustainable ocean development.
The underlying principles of the Blue Charter come from the Charter of the Commonwealth, which was signed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013. The Blue Charter helps Commonwealth countries work together on a fair, inclusive and sustainable approach to ocean protection and economic development.
The Commonwealth Blue Charter works through a set of Action Groups, each devoted to a particular ocean issue. Action Groups are driven by member countries, led by ‘Champion’ countries. So far 13 countries have stepped forward to be Champions on 10 topics:
- Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance
- Coral Reef Protection and Restoration
- Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods
- Marine Protected Areas
- Ocean Acidification
- Ocean and Climate Change
- Ocean Observation
- Sustainable Aquaculture
- Sustainable Blue Economy
- Sustainable Coastal Fisheries.
Action Groups will unlock the power of 54 nations and guide the development of tools and training.
The Blue Charter empowers individual and collaborating member nations to provide the leadership within the Commonwealth to solve the challenges of greatest concern to them
Pen Hadow Arctic Ocean Explorer
Cooperation amongst Commonwealth countries, with initiatives like the Blue Charter, will ensure greater ocean governance on issues like marine pollution.
Grace Kaue Office of Ocean Affairs, Papua New Guinea
Collaboration between Commonwealth countries on ocean commitments can help ensure that best practices are shared and innovations will be implemented.
Taaniella Kula Tonga Ministry of Lands, Survey & Natural Resources
At DOSI, we believe there is no one nation to provide expertise in global issues affecting the ocean. In this way, we are happy to engage with the Blue Charter in bringing experts to wider ocean issues.
Maria Baker Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI)
Ocean-related commitments will take a long time to be implemented.
By working together, we can achieve better and quicker results.
David Natogga Ministry of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification
The Commonwealth's cooperation can help move forward ocean-related issues as ideas can be shared and assistance provided between the 53 developed and developing countries.
Kerry-Ann Spaulding Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jamaica
46 of 54
Commonwealth countries have marine coastlines
35%
of national marine waters are in the Commonwealth
70%
of the Earth’s surface is ocean
32
Commonwealth countries have coral reefs, accounting for 42% of the global whole
45%
of Commonwealth countries are small island developing states – those most vulnerable to ocean change and climate change
0.11°C
sea surface temperature rise per decade between 1971 and 2010
2600 miles
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world
26%
increase in ocean surface water acidity compared to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution
50%
of fish for human consumption is provided by aquaculture
60-90%
of marine pollution is made up of different types of plastic
Provided for illustrative purposes only. Information drawn from Flanders Marine Institute (2019) Maritime Boundaries Geodatabase: Maritime Boundaries and Exclusive Economic Zones (200NM), version 11. Available online at http://www.marineregions.org/
