Ocean health brings together leaders from all over the world

More than seven thousand people from 140 countries, with around one hundred delegations represented at a political level will be in Lisbon for the following days to take part in the 2nd UN Ocean Conference.

The Ocean Conference, which will be co-presided over by Portugal and Kenya will be held at Altice Arena in Lisbon from 27 June to 1 July. 

In addition to the Conference work, there will be around three hundred satellite events to consolidate the purpose of this world meeting hosted by Portugal – promote the importance of the oceans in responding to the climate crisis, considering that the green transition is not possible without a blue transition based on science and technology.

At the same time, the Conference will encourage many partnerships for a Blue, Sustainable and Inclusive Economy, based on Blue Natural Capital. Portugal’s ambition is for this Lisbon conference to be decisive for a global ocean agenda and to be consolidated in the Oceans-Climate nexus, giving it more depth and reach.

The work, events, and meetings will be held in a setting of discussion on a global scale through a cycle of over 60 Blue Talks, driven by the Portuguese diplomatic network, geared towards raising awareness and preparing the Ocean Conference.

Hundreds of bilateral meetings between the political leaders in attendance will be held over this coming week, making this conference one of the greatest multilateral stages this year.

During these five days there will be two State visits – the President of Kenya, the Ocean Conference co-host, and the President of the Republic of Nigeria.

From the Portuguese side, the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Economy and Maritime Affairs, together with the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, International Trade and Foreign Investment, and Maritime Affairs will ensure Portugal is permanently represented and will keep abreast of the ongoing work.

UN Ocean Conference and special events

Hundreds of parallel events will be held on the side of the UN Ocean Conference, including the four special events co-hosted by Portugal:

- Youth and Innovation Forum (24 to 26 June, Nova SBE Campus, Carcavelos)

- Localizing action for the ocean: Local and Regional Governments Special Event  (25 June, Matosinhos Port)

- High Level Symposium on Water (27 June, Altice Arena)

- Sustainable Blue Economy - Investment Forum  (28 June, Estoril Congress Centre).

Representatives of the United Nations member states and system are expected to attend, as well as from 1178 other entities, from academia to the financial and economic sector, NGOs, foundations and other partners. 

Framed by the need to act, focusing on the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and marine resources to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda as a whole.

 The Ocean Conference is to approve a Declaration, the Lisbon Declaration, a document that will enhance the innovative and science-based areas of action that allow Sustainable Development Goal 14 to be met: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. 

The Conference’s programme goals will be addressed through daily plenary meetings and eight Interactive Dialogues under the following themes:

1) Fight marine pollution

2) Promote and strengthen ocean-based sustainable economies, particularly in small island states under development and less developed countries

3) Manage, protect, conserve and restore marine and coastal ecosystems

4) Minimize and address ocean acidification, deoxygenation and warming

5) Make fishing sustainable and enable local artisanal fishermen access to marine resources and markets

6) Increase scientific knowledge and develop the capacity to research and transfer marine technology

7) Improve the conservation and sustainable use of oceans by implementing international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

8) Foster the interconnections between Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the other Goals to implement the 2030 Agenda.

The Lisbon Ocean Conference will contribute to consolidate the importance of the sea in response to the climate crisis, in this way contributing to the works of the upcoming UN Climate Conference (COP) and the necessary global awareness of the interdependence of the Sustainable Development Goals and the relevance of the marine environment in climate action, as there is no climate action without ocean action.

The UN Ocean Conference and its associated events bring to an end an intense six-months of complimentary events that converge in stating the urgency and importance of ocean action, in itself and as an integral part of climate action.

It is expected that the Lisbon Conference will be a decisive moment to accelerate the global ambition to fight pollution, preserve biodiversity and integrate sustainability in the sea economy.

The blue economy has a huge potential for sustainable growth, creating jobs and strengthening nations’ strategic autonomy. To this end, significant investments will be required, particularly to develop new technologies and enhance the natural capital. Accordingly, access to sources of financing will be one of the Conference’s main topics.