The side event will showcase UN-Oceans as a mechanism to mobilize multilateral action to confront the triple planetary crisis affecting the oceans and amplify collective impacts towards achievement of SDG14. Panellists will highlight cross-sectoral partnerships, financing mechanisms, regulatory and governance frameworks that enhance ocean conservation and sustainable use.

Discussions will focus on how synergistic multilateral efforts combatting cumulative pressures, promoting sustainable aquatic food systems and ocean economies, preserving natural and cultural heritage, mobilizing finance, increasing climate action, advancing science-based decision-making and following a human-rights based approach, can provide efficient cross-cutting solutions supporting States’ efforts to achieve SDG14.

This side event will contribute to the commitment previously announced by UN-Oceans: “Raising awareness of relevant regulatory and policy frameworks and its members activities in support of their implementation, as a foundation for conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and their resources”.

UN-Oceans will further announce its pledge to “strengthen multilateral action for accelerating achievement of SDG 14”, a voluntary commitment to enhance information-sharing, alignment, synergistic action and impact tracking across UN agencies.

UN-Oceans member organizations may also announce their own additional commitments on oceans conservation and sustainable use, pertinent to their respective mandates.

Speakers

• Ms. Elinor Hammarskjöld, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Natons Legal Counsel, UN-Oceans Focal Point
• Ms. Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of the Conventon on Internatonal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Panel 1. Regulaton of human actvites for conservaton and sustainable use of marine resources

• Moderator, Mr. Fredrik Haag, Head, Office for London Conventon/Protocol & Ocean Affairs, Subdivision for Ocean Policy and Polluton Response, Marine Environment Division, Internatonal Maritme Organizaton (IMO)
• Ms. Regina Asariots, Chief (a.i.), Trade Logistics Branch and Chief, Policy and Legislaton Section, Division on Technology and Logistics, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• Ms. Alison Clausen, Programme Specialist, Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO)
• Ms. Diana Fernandez de la Reguera, Climate change specialist, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Food and Agriculture Organizaton of the United Nations (FAO)
• Mr. Giuseppe Sernia, Programme Officer, Global Maritme Crime Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC)

Panel 2. Area-based conservation measures and ocean health monitoring and assessment

• Mr. Jose Dallo, Director of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, International Seabed Authority (ISA)
• Ms. Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director, IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Mr. Albert Fischer, Director, WMO Integrated Global Observing System Division, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
• Ms. Tatjana Hema, OIC Head of Regional Seas Branch, Ecosystems Division, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Ms. Athena Trakadas, Co-Chair, Ocean Decade Heritage Network (UNESCO-UCH)
• Mr. Joseph Appiot, Programme Management Officer, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Panel 3. Cross-cuttng issues and enabling factors to accelerate achievement of SDG 14

• Mr. Ambassador Carlos Márcio Bicalho Cozendey, Secretary of Multilateral Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Brazil, Co-Facilitator of the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue (UNFCCC)
• Mr. Sangmin Nam, Director, Environment and Development Division, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
• Mr. Smail Alhilali, Director, Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• Mr. Giuseppe Mancinelli, Country Director, Latin America and the Caribbean Region, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
• Ms. Madeleine Nyiratuza, Regional Technical Specialist for Water, Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Africa, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Mr. Julien Million, PROBLUE Program Manager, Environment Global Department, World Bank Group
• Ms. Nela Cernota, Associate Human Rights Officer, Development, Economic and Social Rights Branch, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)