Commonwealth Bluecharter

The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 53 Commonwealth countries to actively co-operate to solve ocean-related problems and meet commitments for sustainable ocean development.

The Charter of the Commonwealth – signed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013 – provides the underlying principles for the Blue Charter, ensuring that the Commonwealth takes a fair, equitable, inclusive and sustainable approach to ocean economic development and protection.

Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups are member-driven, led by ‘Champion’ countries. To date, 12 countries have stepped forward to be Champions on nine topics they identified as priorities. Action Groups will unlock the power of 53 nations and guide the development of tools and training, they are: 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 and Sustainable Blue Economy.

Sea of Voices

Watch people from across the Commonwealth share their special connections with the ocean.

Action Groups

Meet the Action Groups and discover the ocean topics that Commonwealth countries are addressing

News and Events

Discover the latest news and events from the Blue Charter

Resources

Download documents and resources

#BlueCharter

Patricia Scotland QC@PScotlandCSG·

A great opportunity to thank Minister for Foreign Affairs Seruiratu for #Fiji’s leadership of the fight against #ClimateChange and their active engagement with #Commonwealth #BlueCharter

#ConnectedCommonwealth

Jeremiah J. Ogolo @daggy_blaq·

@commonwealthsec The #BlueCharter signed by Queen Elizabeth II, is just what is needed to control oceanic activities. This idea if pursue with innovative individuals in the 53 #Commonwealth countries will come to FRUITION.

Heather Wheeler MP@HeatherWheeler·

Thank you @PScotlandCSG. It is important that we work together to protect our oceans and limit any further global warming. #bluecharter #Commonwealth

Nick Hardman-Mountford @nmco2·

#Commonwealth #BlueCharter

Subaskar Sitsabeshan @ssubaskar·

#MPA #BlueCharter #Commonwealth

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 53

Commonwealth countries have marine coastlines

36.5%

of national marine waters are in the Commonwealth

70%

of the Earth’s surface is ocean

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

The Commonwealth Blue Charter

Sea of Voices

Action Groups

News and Events

Resources

Download The Commonwealth Blue Charter