The 24th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans concluded with resounding success with participation from Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP; H.E. Ms. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Sea and Fisheries of France; Executive Secretaries and Coordinators of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans; representatives from Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), United Nations entities, and partners. The meeting marked a critical milestone for the Regional Seas Programme, delivering concrete outcomes that will guide its future direction and enhance its contribution to global ocean and coastal governance.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from Tatjana Hema, Acting Head of the Regional Seas Branch. The 24th Global Meeting of the Regional Seas Programme opened with the formal adoption of the agenda, followed by a rich programme reviewing progress and charting future action for regional seas. The sessions covered the implementation of the Regional Seas Strategic Directions 2022-2025. Other sessions focused on the Regional Seas Strategic Directions 2026–2029 which was formally adopted by the meeting. Discussions also explored the Regional Seas’ contribution to enhanced ocean global agenda e.g. SDGs, the BBNJ Agreement, and other global frameworks. Participants also examined the RSCAPs Vision and Roadmap towards the KM-GBF 30x30 MPA-OECM Target as an evolving guidance document for regional cooperation on global biodiversity commitments. Other sessions included a joint dialogue with Regional Fishery Bodies to identify collaborative opportunities under the CBD’s Sustainable Ocean Initiative. A session on financing and partnerships highlighted innovative tools like blue bonds and blended finance, as well as the need for stronger cross-convention coordination to tackle pollution and chemicals.
The meeting concluded with a summary of key outcomes and next steps. Proposals for the 25th Global Meeting were welcomed, with a tentative venue and timeline to be shared.
Key outcomes
- The Regional Seas Strategic Directions (2026–2029) was endorsed.
- An official statement by the RSCAPs coordinators and executive secretaries was endorsed and submitted to the UNOC3 - Ocean Action Panel 8: Promoting and supporting all forms of cooperation, especially at the regional and sub regional level
- Practical strategies were identified to strengthen partnerships and mobilize resources.
- Took note of the RSCAPs Vision and Roadmap towards the KM-GBF 30x30 MPA-OECM Target as an evolving document to support coordinated regional approaches toward global biodiversity commitments for KM-GBF Target 3.
UNOC3’s Ocean Action Panel 8 - Promoting and Supporting All Forms of Cooperation, Especially at the Regional and Sub-Regional Level,
On 12 June, Ms. Tatjana Hema attended UNOC3’s Ocean Action Panel 8 where she delivered the official statement on behalf of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs) coordinators and executive secretaries
UN recognizes World Restoration Flagships in East Africa, Mexico, and Spain
An Award Ceremony for new World Restoration Flagships recognized regional restoration successes under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration was held after the Regional Seas meeting. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognized three new restoration initiatives in East Africa, Mexico, and Spain. These initiatives are restoring almost five million hectares of marine ecosystems. The three new flagships comprise restoration initiatives in the coral-rich Northern Mozambique Channel Region, more than 60 of Mexico’s islands and the Mar Menor in Spain, Europe’s first ecosystem with legal personhood.
Background
The UNEP Regional Seas Programme (RSP) was launched in 1974 in the wake of the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. It remains one of UNEP’s most significant achievements and operates in 18 regions, with most regions adopting a regional action plan underpinned by a legal framework in the form of a regional convention with associated protocols on specific issues. Commonly, they are referred to as Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAP). UNEP provides overall coordination and facilitation and in so doing connects the programme to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).
The Global Meetings of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans organized by UNEP is a coordination mechanism of the eighteen (18) regional seas conventions and action plans. This meeting provides a platform for adoption of global strategies for cooperation, channelling UNEP programmatic support to the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, particularly in areas complementary to the UNEP Programme of Work and strengthening linkages between the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans and other relevant global conventions and agreements.
The 24th global meeting of the Regional Seas Programme builds on the outcomes of the 23rd global meeting held from 20-24th November 2023 hosted by the Government of Barbados in collaboration with the Cartagena Convention Secretariat.
Participants
All 18 Regional Seas Conventions and Action plans (RSCAPs) and Representatives of global MEAs, partners and UNEP staff.
For more information, please contact
Regional Seas Programme: regionalseas[a]un.org
