Driving positive ocean action: the challenges and opportunities of sustainable finance for 30by30 and blue economies side event

When: 29 June 2022 | 11:30-12:45 hrs WEST (Lisbon time)

Where: The Committee Room, The Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal

Side event at the UN Ocean Conference

Organizing Partners: The Waitt Institute,the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), Tonga, the US, Canada and Costa Rica, UNEP, Oceans 5, Oceano Azul Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature & People, and the Global Ocean Alliance.

Despite growing awareness of the crucial role of the ocean for biodiversity, people and climate, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) remains among the least funded SDGs by both Official Development Assistance and philanthropic development funding, whilst private finance for targets of ocean resilience and adaptation remains significantly underleveraged. As we look to raise ambition on ocean action towards SDG14 and under other international fora including the CBD and UNFCCC, closing the finance and capacity gap will be of critical importance.

This side event will convene international ocean leaders across regions and sectors who will spotlight initiatives working to mobilise sustainable finance for MPAs and blue economies, through innovative partnerships and financial solutions.

AGENDA

11:30 | High-level Panel:Putting a Spotlight on Sustainable Finance for Ocean Goals–The Challenges and Opportunities from Around the World (25 minutes)

Moderated by Rt Hon. Lord Goldsmith, UK

Remarks: Hon.Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister, Tonga

Remarks: Hon.Franz Tattenbach, Minister for Environment and Energy, Costa Rica

Remarks: Maxine Burkett,Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, United States

12:00 | Technical Panel: Driving Innovation & Action in Sustainable Finance for Effective MPA Implementation and Blue Economies (40 minutes)

Moderator: Karen Sack (ORRAA)

Panelist: UNSG’s Special Envoy Ambassador Peter Thomson

Panelist: Susan Gardner, Director Ecosystems Division, UNEP

Panelist: JerryVelasquez, Green Climate Fund

Panelist: Markus Mueller, Deutsche Bank

Panelist: José Soares dos Santos, Oceano Azul Foundation

12:40 | Closing remarks: Ambassador Satyendra Prasad, Permanent Representative from Fiji to the UN