From 15 to 16 October, the World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) contributed to the Fourth Blue Economy Roundtable convened by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission in St. Lucia. Further to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between the OECS and WMU in 2023, the WMU-GOI delivered a consultative workshop on the BBNJ Agreement within the framework of the “Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme” (BBNJ Clinic) that is generously supported by Ireland.
BBNJ CLINIC WORKSHOP DELIVERED AT OECS FOURTH BLUE ECONOMY ROUNDTABLE
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
For the round table discussions, the OECS Commission partnered with WMU, the PROCARIBE Project, UNEP-CAR, and the ICCF Group, among others, to focus on the multifaceted pathways by which blue economies might be built, emphasizing the importance of policy coherence.
Key Discussion Areas:
A high-level component under the theme “Beyond Aspiration – The OECS Model Blue Economy Region” featured high-level delegations, including:
Ambassador Etienne emphasized the importance of ratifying the BBNJ Agreement for the region. The speeches from the High-Level Roundtable can be viewed on the OECS YouTube page.
BBNJ CLINIC WORKSHOP
Within the framework of the Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, the WMU-GOI led a consultative session titled “BBNJ Clinic Workshop: Consultative Session for Caribbean States Towards Agreement Ratification.” This session was tailored to address the regional needs of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) regarding the BBNJ Agreement and adopted a Blue Economy focus.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop was attended by ocean and maritime experts from OECS Member States, delegates from local governments and ministries, Maritime Authorities, and representatives from UN Agencies, regional organizations, industry, and civil society.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In closing the workshop, Professor Ronán Long and Dr. Hassanali emphasized the importance of early ratification of the BBNJ Agreement for Caribbean States.
Benefits of Early Ratification:
Community Engagement
The WMU-GOI hosted an exhibition booth showcasing the University’s commitment to ocean health and the Blue Economy. This provided local schools and youth an opportunity to learn more about ocean governance and sustainability.
ABOUT THE WORLD MARITIME UNIVERSITY
The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden, operates within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. WMU aims to be a global center of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training, and research while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ABOUT THE WMU-SASAKAWA GLOBAL OCEAN INSTITUTE
The WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) is an independent focal point for ocean science-policy-law-industry-society discussions. It provides a platform where policymakers, scientists, regulators, industry actors, academics, and civil society representatives collaborate to manage and use ocean resources sustainably. The Institute was inaugurated in May 2018 with support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan, the Governments of Sweden, Canada, and Germany, and the City of Malmö.
ABOUT BBNJ CLINIC PROGRAMME
The Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme supports Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in ratifying and implementing the BBNJ Agreement. Effective implementation of the Agreement is essential for ocean sustainability, conservation, and equitable access to ocean resources.
Programme Objectives:
Provide capacity-building support to SIDS and LDCs
Offer consultations and training for Agreement ratification
Facilitate model legislation drafting
Promote collaboration between policymakers, legal advisors, and government officials
For more information about the Ireland WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic Programme, contact the WMU-GOI team at goievents@wmu.se.