Ocean action coordination under other United Nations agencies

Coordination under the UN

The UNFCCC secretariat is a member of UN Oceans, an inter-agency mechanism in conformity with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, that seeks to enhance the coordination, coherence and effectiveness of competent organizations of the United Nations system and the International Seabed Authority. 

UN Oceans regularly hosts side events at UN Climate Change Conferences.

For more information and an informal list of UN entities working on ocean and climate - see section I D, and Annex 3 of the 2020 Ocean and Climate Change dialogue information note.

The secretariat also regularly reports to the SBSTA on cooperation with UN entities and international organizations.

The United Nations Ocean Conference

• 2022 UN Ocean Conference, 27 June - 1 July 2022, Lisbon, Portugal.
• Joint side event by the UNFCCC secretariat, Ocean and Climate Change Platform and Government of France - From Science to Action: Blueing the Paris Agreement, 27 June 2022

The UN Ocean Conference, 27 June to 1 July 2022 mobilised action to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action. The conference concluded with 700 new commitments registered to support the implementation of SDG 14 and the adoption of the Lisbon Declaration

The UNFCCC secretariat hosted a joint side event with France and the Ocean-Climate Platform "Blueing the Paris Agreement." 

Ocean-climate action coordinated by non-party stakeholders

The Global Climate Action (GCA) work programme under the UNFCCC coordinates two workstreams that engage non-party stakehlders, as well as working closely with the ocean expert group of the Nairobi work programme.

• The Marrakech Partnership Ocean and Coastal Zones Climate Action Pathway and COP ocean action days provide a sectoral roadmap to help Parties and non-Party stakeholders identify actions needed to limit global warming to below 1.5° C by 2050. An updated Vision and Summary document and an Action table for the Ocean and Coastal Zones pathway are published each year
• Action for Climate Empowerment aims to to empower all members of society to engage in climate action, through education, training, public awareness, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation. ACE has previously held workshops for Small Island Developing States and continues to engage with ocean and coastal zone topics
• Nairobi work programme - Knowledge to Action Hub for Adaptation and Resilience, ocean and coastal zone thematic work.

The UNFCCC secretariat also works with many international initiatives and groups including:

• Because the Ocean, a Party-led initiative encouraging progress on the incorporation of the ocean in the climate change policy debate
• Blue Carbon Initiative,  a coordinated, global program focused on mitigating climate change through the conservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
• Friends of Ocean Action, a unique informal group of over 70 ocean leaders who are fast-tracking solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the ocean
• Global Ocean Forum, an international, independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote good governance of the ocean, healthy marine ecosystems, and sustainable devel­opment
• High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, the Ocean Panel is committed to putting sustainability at the heart of ocean management to benefit people, nature and the economy
• Ocean and Climate Platform, works toward furthering understanding of ocean-climate-biodiversity interactions and integration of the ocean in climate negotiations