Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies (OETS): Caribbean and Central American  experience  sharing  workshop - looking back and forging ahead 

The UNCTAD-OLA/DOALOS regional experience sharing workshop held on 23-24 September 2021 to support UNCTAD15 quadrennial conference theme “From inequality and vulnerability to prosperity for all”,  highlighted the need to strengthen capacities of coastal developing countries, in particular small island developing States (SIDS), in adopting, elaborating and implementing evidence-based and policy coherent OETS to promote sustainable trade of products and services in ocean-based economic sectors within the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

During the workshop, high-level policymakers, national fisheries departments, financial/trade support institutions and fisheries experts recapped the Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies (OETS) project’s achievements and lessons learned, as well as discussed, the way forward to a sustainable ocean economy that benefits everyone.

The following are key findings and recommendations which emerged from speakers and participants during the workshop: 

1.1    Adaptive fishery management/improvement plans developed through inclusive stakeholder engagement, supportive and dynamic regulatory and policy frameworks are relatively low-cost options that could promote sustainable fisheries, complement sustainability certifications and secure livelihoods in coastal developing countries, particularly in SIDS 

1.2    National fisheries data availability remains a key challenge to conduct scientific and evidence-based processes; the lack of robust data and human and financial resources negatively affects traceability, monitoring & surveillance which in turn become linked to market access barriers

1.3    The pandemic has re-affirmed the value of preparedness to protect and build resilience against inequalities brought on by climate change, health and other natural or man-made disasters through harnessing diversification and digitalisation

1.4    Promotion of national and regional markets and tourism, using online platforms and e-commerce is necessary for diversification, product development and innovation

1.5    Promoting investment, financing and/or regional economic integration in digitalisation and innovative automation technologies to upgrade infrastructure and skills through new partnership can: 

1.5.1    Support ocean governance and research (e.g., quantity and quality [grade] of target species, diversification of value chains) 

1.5.2    Promote sustainable use of marine resources (e.g., reduction of catch and/or allow live release of non-target species) 

1.5.3    Increase market access and value addition for seafood products (e.g., engagement in [voluntary] sustainability standard schemes)

1.5.4    Boost the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient harvesting, processing and cold storage systems which could reduce the countries’ reliance on fossil fuels and emissions from the value chain

1.6    Strengthened coordination mechanisms, fisherfolk organisations, information sharing (if possible, through modernised communication frameworks) and interaction among relevant actors/agencies, should be encouraged nationally and regionally (e.g., to promote domestic demand by linking fisheries with tourism and marine protected areas, or facilitate exports through trade agreements and key markets)

1.7    Improved coastal zone management by integrating marine fisheries and aquaculture, coastal and marine tourism and consolidating natural marine areas and reserves, recreational fishing, wildlife watching, and marine ecotourism should be promoted

1.8    Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the COVID-19 pandemic responses should be addressed in a complementary manner, integrating actions to tackle emergency, support recovery and achieve the SDGs for the prosperity for all. 

UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Isabelle Durant commended the work done by the OETS project noting that “…whilst the actual value of the ocean is difficult to quantify, we estimate that the economic value of the “ocean” economy” in the form of tradable ocean goods and services contributes directly at least $2.5 trillion per year. Furthermore, the value of ocean assets has been estimated to be at least $24 trillion. Understanding the value of oceans and the trade and governance aspect to sustainably manage them can support millions of livelihoods globally and ensure prosperity for all.”

Principal Legal Officer of OLA/DOALOS, Mr. Dmitry Gonchar, noted that UNCLOS provides the legal certainty which is necessary for the development of sustainable ocean-based economies, or blue economies, and that the effective implementation of UNCLOS is thus fundamental to the establishment of a blue economy.

In total, 96 participants attended the event, 40 per cent of whom were female. The affiliation of participants was 38 percent government, 22 per cent international and regional governmental organisation, 17 per cent business and fishers and 10 percent academia representatives. Most of the participants were from the Americas (76 percent), and Europe (about 21 per cent) and approximately 3 percent of the participants originated from Asia and Africa.