Commitments from the world’s high-level venues, including the Our Ocean Conference, can motivate crucial progress towards the UN Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its “30×30” target to protect and conserve at least 30% of land and ocean by 2030. As 2030 fast approaches, how do we ensure that progress is meaningful when the goal is not just quantity of global ocean area conserved, but also quality and real-world, equitable outcomes for people and biodiversity?
This event brings together policymakers, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and practitioners. We will discuss lessons learned from case studies around the world, focusing on commitments to create, recognize, and strengthen marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures in the ocean (marine OECMs), including two evidence-based tools for understanding biodiversity conservation in the ocean, The MPA Guide and the new Marine OECM Guide. Panelists will speak of their leadership and experience with MPAs and marine OECMs for conserving biodiversity around the world and in their own ocean regions – including Senegal, Kenya, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique, and the High Seas. This event will provide space for panelists and audience members to share perspectives on how protected and conserved areas can deliver biodiversity gains, uphold rights, and make real contributions towards a 30×30 that supports ocean conservation and human well-being.
