Ocean Panel Welcomes UAE as Newest Member
NEW YORK (September 25, 2024) — Today, at the United Nations (UN) in New York City, world leaders and representatives from the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) officially launched the ‘100% Alliance.’ This initiative calls on all coastal and ocean states to commit to the sustainable management of all ocean areas under national jurisdiction. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first country in the Middle East to commit, was welcomed as the Ocean Panel’s newest member, now totaling 19 countries representing half of the world’s coastlines.
Led by the government of France in partnership with the Ocean Panel and coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI), the 100% Alliance seeks ambitious global action in advance of the next UN Ocean Conference and beyond. By uniting around this shared goal and committing to 100% sustainable ocean management by 2030, countries will take a collective step forward in delivering the critical targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).
The initiative comes at a vital time as the ocean — our planet’s largest ecosystem — is in a state of emergency due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing, along with the growing threat of sea-level rise, which endangers especially small island developing states (SIDS) and low-lying states. Despite these very real warnings, SDG14 remains the least-funded of all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
“In June 2025, France, together with Costa Rica, will be hosting the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice. We will need concrete solutions and commitments to enhance the power of our ocean to fight climate change” said President of France, Emmanuel Macron. “Multi-partnerships for the Ocean will serve as a testament to the collective strength achieved when we unite, mobilizing the necessary funding to support on-the-ground actions and drive progress for our ocean and our planet. To protect the ocean’s long-term health, all coastal and ocean states must commit to sustainable management. That’s why France is happy to lead this campaign into the UN Ocean Conference in Nice in June 2025.”
The Ocean Panel also published its second progress report today, announcing advancements towards 100% sustainable ocean management, as well as its 2030 priority goals. Since the launch of its ‘Transformations’ agenda four years ago, nine member countries have achieved a key milestone by implementing Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs), while four others are finalizing their first plans. With 14 founding members committed to developing SOPs by 2025, and other countries within five years of joining, the Ocean Panel is currently on track to meet its targets.
The report analyzes 26 priority actions from the ‘Transformations’ agenda, showing that member countries are making steady progress towards their 2030 goals. It highlights successes and candidly addresses challenges in achieving 100% sustainable ocean management, along with solutions implemented by member countries.
“When the Ocean Panel declared its shared ambition to sustainably manage 100% of ocean areas within national jurisdictions, we knew the path would be challenging but right.” said Ocean Panel Co-chair and President of Palau, Surangel S. Whipps Jr. “This has been evident through our collaborations in the Pacific, with leaders committing to 100% effective sustainable ocean management of the Blue Pacific Continent. As we release this second progress report, it is clear that our hard work is beginning to pay off, paving the way for future generations.”
“The report shows clear progress. This gives me confidence and hope for the ocean’s future.” said Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of Norway and Ocean Panel Co-chair. “As we move toward 100% sustainable ocean management, we are not only proving it can be done but also demonstrating how to do it. The path to a sustainable ocean economy is not straight forward, but as a global community, we can and must work together to make our ocean sustainable”.
Ocean Panel members also welcomed the UAE as its newest member, making it the first Middle Eastern country to commit to 100% sustainable ocean management. The UAE, which holds the outgoing UNFCCC COP presidency, has been a longstanding advocate for SDG14, working to increase ocean knowledge, champion ocean sustainability, maintain its global leadership in marine protected areas, tackle ocean waste and pollution and preserve marine fisheries.
“The UAE is honored to join the Ocean Panel and work with like-minded partners to advance both the protection of nature and the sustainable development of ocean-dependent communities.” said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. “With the recent increase in multilateral agreements in support of the ocean, including those agreed at COP28 in the UAE, we have a real opportunity to enhance policy, finance, and technology that preserves this vital resource for future generations.”
“As the UAE’s Sherpa to the Ocean Panel, I am privileged to contribute to a collective global effort that promotes sustainable ocean management. Joining as the first nation from the MENA region underscores our dedication to environmental leadership under the UAE Consensus,” said Her Excellency Ms. Razan Al Mubarak, IUCN President and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28. “Our upcoming roles as hosts for the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2025 and the UN Water Conference in 2026 exemplify our active participation in shaping a sustainable future for our oceans.”
“It is with great enthusiasm I welcome the United Arab Emirates to the Ocean Panel at a time when momentum is growing toward 100% sustainable ocean management.” said President Whipps Jr. “We know we cannot achieve a sustainable ocean economy if some areas of the ocean are managed sustainably while other areas are left open to exploitation. This is another step toward our 100% goal and safeguarding the ocean for generations to come.”
“As the Ocean Panel continues to make progress toward a sustainable ocean economy, I am happy to see others take up this initiative for a more prosperous future for both people and planet.” said Prime Minister Støre. “I look forward to working with the United Arab Emirates, which has already shown strong commitment to the ocean, and to continue the work towards 100% sustainable ocean management.”
In their annual communiqué, the now 19 Ocean Panel leaders reaffirmed their commitment to their 2030 agenda by catalyzing finance, building capacity and knowledge, and working in partnership.” The communiqué sets out priorities leading up to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, including mobilizing action on multilateral processes like the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing (PSMA).
About the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
Co-chaired by Norway and Palau, the Ocean Panel includes Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Palau, Portugal, Seychelles, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and now the United Arab Emirates. Together, these 19 nations represent 50% of the world’s coastlines, 45% of global Exclusive Economic Zones, 21% of the world’s fisheries, 23% of the world’s shipping fleet. The Ocean Panel is supported by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. Based on the shared understanding of the need to improve the state of the ocean, the countries in the Ocean Panel are committed to producing national sustainable ocean plans with the aim of sustainably managing 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction. Learn more about the Ocean Panel here and find additional information about the 100% Alliance here.
About World Resources Institute (WRI)
WRI serves as the Secretariat for the Ocean Panel. WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet people’s essential needs; to protect and restore nature; and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities. We aim to fundamentally transform the way the world produces and uses food and energy and designs its cities to create a better future for all. Founded in 1982, WRI has nearly 2,000 staff around the world, with country offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States and regional offices in Africa and Europe. Learn more at WRI.org.