Caribbean leaders officially launched a landmark political declaration on marine conservation on Tuesday during a high-level event at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), signaling a united regional push toward protecting 30% of the region’s ocean space by 2030.
The declaration, titled “Actioning Blue: Caribbean 30×30 Vision for the Ocean,” was unveiled aboard the Art Explorer vessel docked at Port Lympia. It represents a renewed call to action by Caribbean governments, building on earlier initiatives and aligning with international targets like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Sustainable Development Goal 14.
The event was co-hosted by the Government of Grenada, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), and the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) Secretariat/ProCaribe+ Project Unit. It drew participation from high-level officials and ministers representing the OECS, wider Caribbean, and Latin America.
“This is a moment worth celebrating,” said Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development for St. Kitts and Nevis. “Caribbean countries are proving that we are not defined by vulnerability—we are defined by our capacity to lead.”
A blueprint for regional ocean governance
The Actioning Blue roadmap is part of a broader Caribbean push to strengthen marine governance, expand marine protected areas, and advance sustainable blue economy goals. It builds on the legacy of the 2008 Caribbean Challenge Initiative, which helped safeguard nearly 49,000 square kilometers of marine ecosystems.
The launch also coincides with the ongoing OECS 30×30 Transformation Project, supported by the SPACES coalition and delivered through the OECS Council of Ministers of Sustainability. Through coordinated policy reform, technical assistance, and support for science and community-driven conservation, Caribbean governments aim to ensure their ocean resources bolster climate resilience, food security, and economic well-being.
H.E. Safiya Sawney, Special Envoy for Climate of Grenada, emphasized the political importance of unity: “Let it be known—the Caribbean is not just participating in the global ocean agenda, we are shaping it.”
Ocean coordination mechanism in focus
The event also spotlighted the growing role of the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM)—a voluntary, government-led platform that brings together 19 Caribbean nations and nine intergovernmental organizations. The OCM is focused on enhancing collaboration for sustainable ocean development across the region.
Karen McDonald Gayle, CEO of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, praised the timing and synergy of the joint initiatives. “This coordinated launch is no accident. It shows that we are serious about bridging gaps and breaking silos. We are managing the ocean together.”
UNOC3, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, continues this week under the theme “Scaling up Ocean Action Based on Science and Innovation.” With Actioning Blue and the OCM gaining international attention, Caribbean nations are positioning themselves as key players in global ocean governance—backed by shared ambition and regional solidarity.
