Ocean health is declining due to rising temperatures, increasing acidification, overfishing and pollution. In addition, specific and multi-layered challenges, such as sea level rise, present existential threats to many Small Island States. Public decision-makers have a key role to play in navigating these challenges, however, they lack the evidence-based knowledge for effective and rapid responses, proportional to the risks faced.
A new mechanism – an International/Intergovernmental Panel for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS) – will be tested with key decision-makers from Small Island States. The IPOS aims to provide a solution to bridge this knowledge to action gap by effectively reconnecting the knowledge and science required to inform appropriate ocean action.
Human well-being and planetary health are interwoven with Ocean health. In order to achieve a healthy sustainable ocean in line with SDG 14, scientific and other knowledge need to be effectively transmitted to decision makers. Despite the Ocean’s critical role, there is still no focused global process for the ocean science-policy interface comparable to those which exist for climate and biodiversity.
Accordingly, the European Union (EU), together with other ocean actors, encourages creating an improved science-policy (knowledge to action) interface for the ocean which builds on current ongoing efforts. The IPOS would translate contextually relevant knowledge, based on assimilated best available science (and knowledge), into action-oriented and decision-relevant options.
On the important occasion of the UN4SIDS Conference, Pacific Ocean Commissioner Manoni and European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen are pleased to co-host a ministerial dialogue to advance this endeavour towards the UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in June 2025 in Nice.
SHIFTS NEEDED TO SUPPORT BEST AVAILABLE EVIDENCE FOR SIDS OCEAN ACTION
| Arrival screening 14:00 | Prior to the event, a special film screening will take place. Created in support of the Towards IPOS initiative, the Oscar award winning SeaChange Project film calls on us to remember the intricate and interconnected relationship between the ocean and humans. We are all Ocean people. |
| 14:10 – 14:25 | INTRODUCTION SESSION Co-moderators: Maxime de Lisle, towards IPOS Carolina Santacruz-Perez, ISC Regional Focal Point for the Latin American and Caribbean Region Welcome address by the host and co-organizers of the workshop: Filimon MANONI, Pacific Ocean Commissioner Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Status update on Towards IPOS: Maxime de Lisle, towards IPOS |
| 14:25-15:20 | DAVOS STYLE PANEL Steven VICTOR, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, Palau Sudheer MAUDHOO, Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mauritius Jeremie Katidjo-Monnier,Minister of sustainable development and environment, New-Caledonia (to be confirmed) Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU, Minister of State for International Partnerships, France (to be confirmed) Filimon MANONI, Pacific Ocean Commissioner Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Q & A |
| 15:20-15:30 | CONCLUSION Summary of outcomes and wrap-up |
Location: Room 2 – SIDS Conference Venue, St. John’s Antigua and Barbuda
Time and date: May 27th, 2PM-3:30PM AST
Language: The meeting will be held in English.
Contact: events@fresh-thoughts.eu
Looking forward to your participation at this important event to co-construct the IPOS: an important mechanism to reconnect science and knowledge to policy action.
Co-organised by:
