Summary Global Programme of Action (GPA) For The Protection Of The Marine Environment From Land-Based Activities

The Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA) has been a cornerstone in supporting countries to address marine pollution challenges. In the Wider Caribbean Region, GPA has provided support and partnerships that advance the mandate of the Cartagena Convention and its Land-Based Sources (LBS) Protocol. This side event will highlight GPA’s contribution to tackling key pollution challenges in the region, with a focus on plastic, marine litter and nutrient pollution as well as implementing new initiatives, including the water quality capacity development project. Additionally, the event will seek to brief participants on the proposed UN Ocean Decade Programme: “A Global Ocean Free from the Harmful Impacts of Pollution by 2050”, co-led by UNEP and IOC-UNESCO with funding from Nippon Foundation, which envisions a “partnership of partnerships” linked to the GPA, to harmonize data, empower decision makers, and drive a global response to marine pollution. Objectives: Showcase GPA’s role and contributions to advancing regional and national action on land-based pollution, and highlight work on plastics and nutrients management. - Showcase new regional initiatives supporting countries in strengthening water quality monitoring and management. - Present the new UN Ocean Decade Programme and obtain feedback about areas of capacity needs and challenges to be addressed. Explore synergies with existing and future initiatives in the region to scale up impact