May 2021 – Commonwealth Bluecharter

This high-level Commonwealth virtual event celebrates World Ocean Day, highlighting how protecting the health of the ocean and coastal communities is critical to national and international economic recovery. Government and private sector leaders will speak on their challenges and experiences resetting and rebuilding equitable resilient ocean economies.

The Blue Reset

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the interconnectivity of nature and humanity on this planet. The ocean economy, which contributes approximately $1.5 trillion annually to the global economy, was particularly hard hit by the pandemic. The links between ocean-based sectors and land-based economies mean that these impacts have had widespread economic and social repercussions.

The pandemic has also offered an unprecedented opportunity to press the ‘blue reset’ to ensure a sustainable and equitable blue recovery so that people and the ocean can thrive for years to come. Discussions will also focus on how the Commonwealth Blue Charter can support post-COVID recovery.

Agenda

1300 – 1305	Introduction and housekeeping Dr Nicholas Hardman-Mountford FMBA, Head of Oceans and Natural Resources – Trade, Commonwealth Secretariat
1305 – 1310	Welcome and Opening Remarks Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
1310 – 1315	Special Address His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives
1315 – 1350	Roundtable Discussion The Rt Hon Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister for Pacific and the Environment, United Kingdom Hon Kirk D. M. Humphrey, Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Barbados Hon Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Mr Josh Thomas, CEO Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
1350-1400	Mr Lewis Pugh OIG, Endurance swimmer and UN Patron of the Oceans s
1400 – 1405	Ms Patricia E. Harris, CEO, Bloomberg Philanthropies
1405 – 1410	Ms Josheena Naggea, Doctoral candidate – Stanford University and Commonwealth Youth Voice
1410 – 1415	Closing remarks

Speakers:

Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives
Hon. Kirk D. M. Humphrey, Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Barbados
Hon. Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Canada
The Rt Hon Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister for Pacific and the Environment, United Kingdom
Josh Thomas, CEO, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia
Patricia E. Harris, CEO, Bloomberg Philanthropies
Lewis Pugh OIG, Endurance swimmer and UN Patron of the Oceans
Josheena Naggea, Doctoral candidate at Stanford University and Commonwealth Youth voice

Registration

Contact

Dr Nick Hardman-Mountford, Head of Oceans and Natural Resources: [email protected]
Ms Heidi Prislan, Commonwealth Blue Charter Adviser: [email protected]

New web tool and handbook

Accompanying this new web tool is a handbook containing valuable guidance on how to navigate the database, as well as match and pitch projects to the most suitable funders.

Both the website and handbook were designed specifically to support the work of the Commonwealth Blue Charter, a historic commitment made in 2018 by all 54 Commonwealth member nations to work actively together to solve ocean challenges.

Step forward for ocean action

Welcoming the initiative, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said:

“Despite the central role of the ocean in our natural ecosystems, climate systems, economies and cultures, funding for ocean conservation is equivalent to less than one percent of global philanthropy, and an even smaller fraction of foreign aid.

“The Commonwealth Blue Charter Ocean Funders Database represents a major step forward for ocean action in the Commonwealth, which aims to support member countries to navigate the funding that is currently available internationally, understand the goals, criteria, and application processes for different prospective funders, and develop successful multilateral partnerships for greater ocean action.”

Action groups

Under the Commonwealth Blue Charter, countries collaborate through voluntary ‘action groups’ on 10 key ocean issues: marine plastic pollution, coral reef protection, mangrove restoration, climate change, ocean acidification, ocean observation, marine protected areas, sustainable aquaculture, sustainable coastal fisheries and the sustainable blue economy.

Over the past year, the 10 action groups have been setting out priorities and shared action plans, taking into account regional and resource needs.

Finding resources and partners

The new funding database will support them in finding resources and partners to implement joint projects across these action areas, such as developing legal frameworks for progressive ocean policies, conducting sought-after capacity building programmes and training courses, and supporting innovation.

Since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, the action groups have ramped up efforts to network and share solutions, through research, virtual dialogues and training, with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Month: May 2021

World Ocean Day 2021 – The Blue Reset: Building resilient and equitable ocean-based economies post-COVID