Global Ocean Forum

ST 2.15: From EEZs to the High Seas: Leveraging the ocean-climate biodiversity nexus in accelerating the implementation of ocean-climate action

OVERVIEW

The Global Ocean Forum and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory are pleased to be organizing a virtual side event at the 2024 East Asian Seas Congress in collaboration with the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and the Common Oceans Cross-sectoral Project. This side event, titled “From EEZs to the High Seas: Leveraging the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus in accelerating the implementation of ocean-climate action,” will be held virtually on 6 November at 5:00-6:30 PM China Standard Time. The event will consist of two segments and will feature two sets of speakers representing government, intergovernmental, and civil society organizations.,

Segment 1 aims to discuss integrated and collaborative approaches used to advance the ocean agenda in the climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development frameworks. It will highlight the opportunities presented by the BBNJ Agreement for leveraging the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus in accelerating the implementation of ocean-climate action by exploring the mitigation and adaptation potential of the vast high seas.

Segment 2 focuses on what’s to come for the ocean community at COP29 and will provide a preview of the COP29 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (VOP) and of ocean events at COP29 more generally. This segment will open with high-level remarks on what to expect for the ocean from COP29 negotiations. Next, the Ocean Breakthroughs and the activities of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA) at COP29 will be presented, followed by a presentation on the activities of the Friends of the Ocean and Climate at COP29. An introduction to the Virtual Ocean Pavilion will then follow, with a preview of the Pavilion exhibits and live events, an overview of the searchable COP29 ocean-related events tracker and other Pavilion features.

 

 

AGENDA

Keynote Speaker

  • Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean

Moderator

  • Mr. Richard Delaney, Interim Executive Director, Center for Coastal Studies, US; President, Global Ocean Forum Board of Directors

Segment 1: From EEZs to the High Seas

  • Ambassador Janine Coye-Felson, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations in New York; Co-chair of the BBNJ Agreement Preparatory Commission
  • Mr. Duncan Currie, Legal and Political Advisor, High Seas Alliance
  • Ms. Danielle Yeow, Lead, Climate Change Law and Policy, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore
  • Ms. Johanna Diwa-Acallar, Capacity Development Specialist, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
  • Ms. Viktoria Varga Lencses, Program Coordinator, Common Oceans Program; Senior Fishery Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN

Segment 2: Showcasing the Ocean at COP29

  • Mr. Julio Cordano, Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations in New York, co-facilitator, Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue 2024
  • Ms. Loreley Picourt, Executive Director, Ocean & Climate Platform, Co-focal Point for Ocean and Coastal Zones, Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action
  • Ms. Anna-Marie Laura, Senior Director, Climate Policy, Ocean Conservancy
  • Ms. Thecla Keizer, Deputy Head of International Office, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
  • Ms. Catie Mitchell, Research Assistant, Global Ocean Forum