The high level panel for sustainable ocean economy is an initiative by world leaders committed to advancing solutions for ocean health and wealth that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and build a better future for people and planet. As the only ocean body made of serving heads of government, the panel comes with high level political commitment. The leaders on the panel recognise that economic production and ocean protection must be mutually supportive. The panel as the determination to trigger, amplify and accelerate world-wide ocean action in governance, technology, industry and finance.
Who is on the high level panel?
The panel consists of 14 leaders of coastal states at different stages of development. It includes the presidents or prime ministers of Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Norway (co-chair), Palau (co-chair) and Portugal. The UN Secretary General’s special envoy for the ocean is a supporting member. The panel is supported by global group of scientists, a network of business and civil society leaders, and a dedicated secretariat.
What are the objectives?
The objective of the High Level Panel is to build a new, shared understanding of the current and potential future state of Ocean economy and ecology, and generate a set of policy, governance, technology and investment solutions aimed at catalyzing a truly Sustainable Ocean Economy.
The goal of the panel is to advance a new contract between humanity and the sea that protects the Ocean and optimizes its value to humankind.
What are the desire results?
Results that will help achieve the transition to a sustainable ocean economy include:
- A widely accepted understanding of what a sustainable ocean economy is and why it is necessary
- Accelerated SDG action by governments, companies, financial institutions, and civil society
- Energized programs that are better equipped to tackle ocean challenges
- New government and business policies and public-private partnerships
- Increased public and private sector financing in support of innovative ocean solutions, and;
- Strengthened political will and ambition to transform to sustainable ocean economy.
