A Healthy Ocean and A Sustainable Ocean Economy that Protects the Climate, Biodiversity, and People
Organized by the UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition at the UN Headquarters, New York, the meeting brought together world leaders, heads of UN agencies, ocean industry CEOs, prominent researchers, and the finance community to determine key enablers for government and for the private sector to deliver on sustainable ocean management and on ocean-based climate solutions.
Josefa Tauli, the UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and Sanda Ojiambo, the Assistant Secretary-General and the CEO of the UN Global Compact opened the meeting by delivering remarks on the role of private sector in driving a sustainable ocean economy at the heart of the SDG agenda, as well as ambitions and expectations from UNGA 78.
Some Government representatives also delivered high-level remarks on the importance of a healthy ocean and thriving Blue Economy for food security, climate mitigation, economic livelihood, and much more. Dr. Vivi Yulaswati, the Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources from the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas shared about Indonesia’s Blue Economy Framework, Blue Economy Action Plan, as well as the National Blue Agenda Actions Partnership (NBAAP) that was launched during the G20 Summit in Bali last year (focusing on blue food, blue health, blue finance, and blue innovation), and how Indonesia is among the first countries putting Blue Economy as part of their main long-term development priorities and strategies.
In the discussion session that followed, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson, also shared about how the ocean plays a crucial role in supporting the UN in achieving the SDGs.
Throughout the rest of the session, prominent panelists discussed necessary efforts to unlock financing for the Blue Economy, the need for public-private collaboration in developing nature-based solutions and sustainable ocean plans, how to decarbonize shipping, as well as making use of ocean resources for sustainable production of food and energy. Present among others were Valerie Hickey, the Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy of World Bank; Michael Lodge, the Secretary-General of International Seabed Authority; Kitack Lim, the Secretary-General of International Maritime Organization (IMO); Adam Brennan, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Thai Union; and Mia Seppo, the Assistant Director-General for the Jobs and Social Protection Cluster of ILO.
Together with IGCN and Bappenas, the CEOs of two leading shipping companies from Indonesia were among the selected invitees who were present in the meeting; Yoki Firnandi, the CEO of PT Pertamina International Shipping and Bani M. Mulia, the CEO of PT Samudera Indonesia Tbk.
Side Event: Support Commitment from the Government of Indonesia to the UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition on the Establishment of Ocean Stewardship Centre in Indonesia | UN Headquarters, New York
The UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition and IGCN received commitment support from the Government of Indonesia represented by the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas to establish an Ocean Stewardship Centre in Indonesia. The commitment support was handed over by Dr. Vivi Yulaswati, the Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources of Bappenas to Sanda Ojiambo, the Assistant Secretary-General and the CEO of the UN Global Compact, following the UN High-Level Ocean Meeting on 18 September 2023 at the UN Headquarters.
Present at the momentum were Melissa Powell, the Chief of Staff of the UN Global Compact; Erik Giercksky, the Head of the Ocean Stewardship Coalition; Ruth Boumphrey, the CEO of Lloyd’s Register Foundation; Yoki Firnandi, the CEO of PT Pertamina International Shipping; Bani M. Mulia, the CEO of PT Samudera Indonesia Tbk; and the IGCN representatives (Y. W. Junardy, Josephine Satyono, and Mardhathillah Aulia).
Ocean Evening Reception, 18 September 2023 | Rockefeller Center, New York
Following the UN High-Level Ocean Meeting, the UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition also hosted an evening reception for the ocean community to meet and discuss the necessary harmonious relationship between nature and business to ensure healthy and resilient ecosystems.
The reception was opened by remarks from David Rockefeller Jr. who is also a lifelong sailor and conservationist and was a Founder of Sailors for the Sea.
During the reception, Vincent Doumeizel, the Senior Advisor on Oceans to the UN Global Compact also introduced his book titled, “The Seaweed Revolution: Uncovering the Secrets of Seaweed and How It Can Help Save the Planet”. This book shows us how incredibly diverse seaweed is and how it could help to bring back balance in our ecosystems through a wide range of applications. It could allow us to better feed human beings and animals, replace plastic and fertilizers, boost medical innovations, mitigate global warming, repair biodiversity, and support economies in coastal communities where fish stocks are declining.
