11th Our Ocean Conference – Report out
The OA Alliance was proud to take part in the 11th Our Ocean Conference, presided over by the Government of Kenya from June 16-18 in Mombasa.
We were there to ensure ocean acidification is representedand acted upon across mitigation, adaptation and financing elements of climate-ocean change policy.
The conference also provided an opportunity to shine a global spotlight on the leadership shown by African countries in responding to ocean acidification, and safeguarding sustainable blue economies that provide so much in a rapidly changing ocean.
Highlights from the conference:
High-Level Dialogue, “Accelerating Action on Ocean Acidification in the Western Indian Ocean” which brought together participants from Seychelles, Kenya, Mauritius, development and finance institutions, regional organizations, and ocean acidification scientists to move from science to implementation on the Regional Ocean Acidification Action Plan, now adopted under the Nairobi Convention.
The momentum in the room was clear: ocean acidification is rising on the regional agenda, and so is the commitment to act. Now we move forward with political leadership, finance, enhanced science–policy interface and institutional coordination.
The OA Alliance was proud to welcome Jamaica as our newest member, joining a growing global network of governments working together to address ocean acidification through science, policy and collaboration. With ocean champions from around the world gathered to drive action, Jamaica officially signed its Letter of Commitment to join the Alliance, marking the beginning of an exciting new partnership and a shared commitment to combating and addressing ocean acidification.
“In Jamaica, our nature is the product. Ocean acidification occurs due to actions both inside and outside our control. Joining the OA Alliance is not theatrical, it’s a practical step to ensure we are doing what we can to raise ambition for GHG and carbon reduction as well as reduce pressures on our marine resources that are directly threatened.”
Convened members and new partners of our National OA Action Planning Leadership Circle who are committed to ensuring ocean acidification information is at the center of decision making.
Representatives from the governments of United Kingdom, Peru, Jamaica, Kenya, Fiji, Sweden, Palau, Seychelles, and Portugal came together to share lessons learned integrating ocean acidification into domestic policies:
Paris Climate Agreement (NDCs/ NAPs)
Sustainable Ocean Pans
Marine Strategy Framework Directives
Coastal and Fisheries Management Plans
Takeaways Moving Forward:
One clear take-away from discussions across the conference: ocean acidification is no longer solely an environmental challenge. It is a food security challenge, fisheries and livelihoods challenge, climate resilience and sustainable development challenge.
The good news: we are having success evolving the issue of ocean acidification from scientific awareness to implementation, which means mainstreaming knowledge into key climate and ocean policies and funding solutions that work.
The OA Alliance is honored to be part of the Our Ocean Conference community and is proud to have a special history of accomplishments and milestones at the conference. Check out the history of ocean acidification at the Our Ocean Conference below!
