Introduction
The Global Meetings of the Regional Seas, convened by UNEP, serve as the main coordination mechanism for the 18 Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (Regional Seas). They provide a platform to align regional priorities, adopt joint strategies, and ensure coherence between regional action and global commitments. Through these meetings, the Regional Seas Programme advances its Strategic Directions, strengthen synergies with multilateral environmental agreements, and mobilize partnerships with governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society. In doing so, the Global Meetings enable the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans to contribute effectively to the implementation of major international commitments, including United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions, Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), Global Framework on Chemicals, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other key frameworks on oceans, climate, biodiversity, and pollution.
List of Global Meetings of the Regional Seas
- 24th Global Meeting – Nice, France, 11 June 2025
- 23rd Global Meeting – Bridgetown, Barbados, 20–23 November 2023
- 22nd Global Meeting – Mahé, Seychelles, 25–27 May 2022
- 21st Global Meeting – Berlin, Germany, 3–5 October 2019
- 20th Global Meeting – Geneva, Switzerland, 2–4 October 2018
- 19th Global Meeting – Capetown, South Africa, 29 November 2017
- 18th Global Meeting – Incheon, Republic of Korea, 30 September – 1 October 2016
- 17th Global Meeting – Istanbul, Turkey, 20–22 October 2015
- 16th Global Meeting – Athens, Greece, 29 September – 1 October 2014
- 15th Global Meeting – New York, USA, 22–23 October 2013
- 14th Global Meeting – Nairobi, Kenya, 1–3 December 2011
- 13th Global Meeting – Helsinki, Finland, 30 September – 1 October 2008
- 12th Global Meeting – Bergen, Norway, 20–22 September 2010
- 11th Global Meeting – Bangkok, Thailand, 5–8 October 2009
- 10th Global Meeting – Guayaquil, Ecuador, 25–27 November 2008
- 9th Global Meeting – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 29 November – 1 December 2007
- 8th Global Meeting – Beijing, People’s Republic of China, 13–14 October 2006
- 7th Global Meeting – Helsinki, Finland, 18–20 October 2005
- 6th Global Meeting – Istanbul, Turkey, 30 November – 2 December 2004
- 5th Global Meeting – Nairobi, Kenya, 26–28 November 2003
- 4th Global Meeting – Montreal, Canada, 6–8 November 2001
- 3rd Global Meeting – Monaco, 6–10 November 2000
- 2nd Global Meeting – The Hague, Netherlands, 5–8 July 1999
- 1st Global Meeting – Washington D.C., USA, 6–9 July 1998
