The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy

The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (the ocean panel) is a unique body composed of 16 heads of state and government, which seeks to build momentum towards a sustainable blue economy. The ocean panel is committed to the sustainable management of 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction, guided by sustainable ocean plans, by 2025.

On this page

• Membership
• Canada’s role and commitments
• Ocean panel publications
• Events/initiatives

Membership

Co-chaired by Norway and Palau, the ocean panel’s membership represents a diverse group of regional, economic, and political perspectives. The members include the heads of state or heads of government of:

This geographically balanced group is composed of 16 serving world leaders, representing almost 45% of the world’s coastline and 35% of the world’s exclusive economic zones. The commitment of the leaders of these 16 countries is most important as we look to build a sustainable ocean economy.

Canada’s role and commitments

On December 2, 2020, the Prime Minister endorsed the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy’s Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: A Vision for Protection, Production and Prosperity, which included support for a global target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. This endorsement affirms the Government of Canada’s support towards sustainably managing 100% of Canada’s ocean area by 2025. Canada is currently developing its Blue Economy Strategy to fulfill this commitment.

Ocean panel publications

The Ocean panel has commissioned a number of publications that will guide the member countries in achieving its objectives.

Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy: a Vision for Protections, Production and Prosperity

On December 2, 2020, the High Level Panel released the Transformations for a Sustainable Ocean Economy document. The document outlines a series of priority actions needed to build a sustainable ocean economy, including managing 100% of the ocean area under national jurisdiction by 2025.

Blue Papers

The ocean panel through partnering with leading academics has commissioned the writing and publication of knowledge products on crucial issues affecting the world’s oceans. These publications include 16 Blue Papers along with several special reports. These papers are independent of the panel and serve to inform the ocean panel’s action oriented agenda, shape the new ocean narrative, as well as identify opportunities to facilitate the transition to a sustainable ocean economy.

Events/initiatives

• May 22 – International Day for Biological Diversity
  • Critical Habitats and Biodiversity: Inventory, Thresholds and Governance
  • Find out what Canada is doing to protect marine ecosystems.
• June 8 – World Ocean’s Day
• June 11 - G7 United Kingdom 2021 - A Blue Recovery to COVID-19