Ensuring that the many positive initiatives to protect the world's oceans are working in synergy is a key task for UN-Oceans, a UN interagency coordination mechanism for ocean issues. The group held its 17th annual face-to-face meeting (26-28 March) hosted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in Paris.
The meeting has allowed UN-Oceans member organisations to exchange information on current and forthcoming activities, and to identify synergies for further collaboration. The participants also discussed how the outcomes of The Ocean Conference, including the 1400 voluntary commitments, are fully analysed and implemented.
The meeting also shared ideas on how to coalesce and encourage their activities in support of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
The International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 also featured on the agenda to ensure ocean science can fully support countries in the achievement of SDG 14. The event concluded with reviewing the UN-Oceans terms of reference as well as its future work programme for 2018. IMO was represented by Fredrik Haag, Head, Office for London Convention/Protocol and Ocean Affairs.