OUR OCEAN CONFERENCE OPENS IN PANAMA GOVERNMENTS TO ANNOUNCE HISTORIC ACTIONS TO ADDRESS GLOBAL OCEAN CRISIS

PANAMA CITY ( 1 March 2023) — The Republic of Panama opened the eighth annual Our Ocean Conference (OOC) here today with the theme, ”Our Ocean, Our Connection,” inspired by its unique history, geography, and the inextricable bonds between the ocean and humankind. Panama is the first Central American nation to host the event—underscoring Latin America’s invaluable contributions to marine conservation and global ocean leadership in recent years.

“As Panamanians we inhabit a narrow strip surrounded by blue. To protect it, we should all think of the ocean as a source of life and recognize it as a great ally in our fight against the climate and biodiversity crises,” said President Laurentino Cortizo Cohén of Panama.

In 2021, Panama became one of the first countries in the world to protect 30 percent of its territorial waters when it expanded the Cordillera de Coiba Area of Managed Resources—a collection of ecosystems with uniquely rich biodiversity, including a vital migratory corridor for tuna, sharks, and threatened blue, sperm, and fin whales—off its southwest coast. The Cordillera designation was first announced in 2015 at the second Our Ocean event held in Chile.

MPAs are just one of the actions the event tackles as a leading forum for global ocean action. Since its first meeting in 2014 Our Ocean has delivered concrete action in a wide range of marine conservation science, sustainable fisheries, the Blue Economy, pollution, maritime security and others—mobilizing more than 1,800 commitments worth approximately $108 billion USD.

Under the “Our Ocean, Our Connection” theme, Our Ocean-Panama will hold expert panels and discussions on 5 specific topics:

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Well-designed and effectively managed Marine Protected Areas are well known tools for biodiversity conservation and management. But they are also increasingly being recognised for their contribution to other dimensions of sustainable development, including climate action and food security. A panel will highlight that fully protected Marine Protected Areas MPAs can contribute to the ‘triple bottom-line’ of biodiversity, climate, and nutrition, and it will consider strategies to maximize their effectiveness

SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMIES

For too long our ocean has been treated as an inexhaustible resource. But like all resources, failures to allow regeneration are failures of planning and management, and a failure to properly account for the economic and social value of the resource. A panel will cover how building a sustainable blue economy will require developing plans to do so – and to manage 100% of the ocean as integral parts of cultures, livelihoods, human health, well-being, and the economy.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate stresses on our ocean are becoming more and more apparent, as highlighted in the IPCC special report on the ocean. The contribution of our ocean to both mitigating and adapting to climate change is being increasingly recognised. A panel will consider aspects of how the carbon value of blue ecosystems can be enhanced, so that the mitigation and adaptation potential of the ocean can be fully realized. It will also discuss how measures that increase the resilience of fishing and coastal communities to adverse climate impacts can be scaled up.

MARITIME SECURITY

Too often unreliability and insecurity in the seas are problems to be addressed, since accidents and violations to human dignity may frequently take place. Populations, particularly the most at risk and the most dependent on ocean products, must be kept safe from harm, whether such is caused by nature or by other humans. New ways and procedures for collaboration among nations in order to ensure the implementation of measures for risk prevention and provision of help when needed, as well as the prevalence of law and order among travelers of the seas will be discussed.

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES

Well-designed and effectively managed Marine Protected Areas are well known tools for biodiversity conservation and management. They are also increasingly being recognised for their contribution to other dimensions of sustainable development, including climate action and food security. This panel will highlight that fully protected Marine Protected Areas MPAs can contribute to the ‘triple bottom-line’ of biodiversity, climate, and nutrition, and it will consider strategies to maximize their effectiveness.

MARINE POLLUTION

Ocean degradation, pollution and refuse have steadily worsened the quality of sea waters, adversely affecting human health, and seafood production. A more comprehensive approach is needed to assure long lasting effectiveness in obtaining and keeping clean waters. Prevention of sea waste, improved ocean cleaning procedures and education to avoid pollution should be integrated into comprehensive programs that may assure the permanence of limpid waters, particularly in populated coastal zones will be covered in a discussion.