emirates7 - The UAE has officially joined the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), becoming the first country in the MENA region to do so. This group, made up of global heads of state, is focused on promoting sustainable ocean management. The UAE's membership reflects its leadership in climate and biodiversity efforts.
The announcement was made on 25th September during the UN General Assembly in New York, where leaders from the 18 other Ocean Panel member nations gathered. Established in 2018 and co-chaired by Norway and Palau, the panel is committed to addressing urgent challenges facing the ocean, such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Member countries have pledged to sustainably manage 100% of their national ocean territories and to support the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been appointed as the UAE’s Sherpa and High-Level Representative to the panel. Al Mubarak emphasized the importance of ocean conservation for tackling global issues, pointing out that a healthy ocean is essential for sustaining life, regulating the climate, and providing critical resources. She underscored the UAE's dedication to working with international partners to protect nature and foster sustainable development for communities dependent on the ocean.
Al Mubarak also noted that sustainable ocean management can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while supporting global livelihoods. She highlighted the significance of aligning efforts across key global frameworks, such as the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement, to unlock benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic prosperity.
The UAE, bordering the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, will now draft a Sustainable Ocean Plan. This will likely include strategies like marine spatial planning, integrated coastal management, the creation of marine protected areas, and investments in new sectors.
The Ocean Panel, which includes 19 countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States, represents 50% of the world's coastlines, 21% of global fisheries, and 23% of the world’s shipping fleet. Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomed the UAE's membership, affirming their commitment to achieving 100% sustainable ocean management.
On the same day, the Ocean Panel launched the "100% Alliance," an initiative calling on all coastal and ocean states to commit to sustainable ocean management. This effort will build momentum ahead of the next UN Ocean Conference in 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. The UAE will also host the 2026 UN Water Conference, where progress on ocean commitments will be reviewed, and new initiatives announced.
The announcement was made on 25th September during the UN General Assembly in New York, where leaders from the 18 other Ocean Panel member nations gathered. Established in 2018 and co-chaired by Norway and Palau, the panel is committed to addressing urgent challenges facing the ocean, such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Member countries have pledged to sustainably manage 100% of their national ocean territories and to support the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been appointed as the UAE’s Sherpa and High-Level Representative to the panel. Al Mubarak emphasized the importance of ocean conservation for tackling global issues, pointing out that a healthy ocean is essential for sustaining life, regulating the climate, and providing critical resources. She underscored the UAE's dedication to working with international partners to protect nature and foster sustainable development for communities dependent on the ocean.
Al Mubarak also noted that sustainable ocean management can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while supporting global livelihoods. She highlighted the significance of aligning efforts across key global frameworks, such as the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement, to unlock benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic prosperity.
The UAE, bordering the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, will now draft a Sustainable Ocean Plan. This will likely include strategies like marine spatial planning, integrated coastal management, the creation of marine protected areas, and investments in new sectors.
The Ocean Panel, which includes 19 countries like Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States, represents 50% of the world's coastlines, 21% of global fisheries, and 23% of the world’s shipping fleet. Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomed the UAE's membership, affirming their commitment to achieving 100% sustainable ocean management.
On the same day, the Ocean Panel launched the "100% Alliance," an initiative calling on all coastal and ocean states to commit to sustainable ocean management. This effort will build momentum ahead of the next UN Ocean Conference in 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. The UAE will also host the 2026 UN Water Conference, where progress on ocean commitments will be reviewed, and new initiatives announced.