Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Wider Caribbean region contains diverse ecosystems including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds, supporting rich biodiversity. Sustainable development of coastal economies relies on balancing growth with long-term conservation of these resources. However, fragmented efforts, overlapping mandates, and limited coordination have often hindered sustainable ocean management.
To address these issues, a regional webinar on Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM) was held. SOPM is a strategic, forward-looking framework aimed at guiding sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources. The webinar sought to align national ocean strategies with broader regional and global frameworks, strengthening coordination across institutions.
Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), opened the event by stressing the need for a coherent, science-based approach that involves both government and society. He highlighted the importance of connecting climate goals with conservation and economic growth, and linking national plans to regional initiatives.
Key participants included Professor Dale Webber representing Jamaica, Norma Munguía Aldaraca of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fanny Douvere of the IOC, Cynthia Barzuna of the World Resources Institute, Erick Richard Castro Gonzalez of the Latin American Development Bank (CAF), and Christopher Corbin of UNEP. They discussed how Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs) can better connect national priorities with regional governance frameworks and improve access to financing and technical support.
The webinar also addressed aligning country-led SOP processes with frameworks such as the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, regional platforms like the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OCM), and the IOC Strategy for SOPM 2025-2030. Improved coordination was seen as key to unlocking funding sources, including the Global Environment Facility, and supporting the transition from planning to implementation.
Participants were encouraged to join the ‘100% Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management’ to strengthen efforts in protecting ocean ecosystems and promoting sustainable governance across the Wider Caribbean.