Oceans and natural resources

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SIDS4 Side Event: Ocean Health, Human Wealth: The importance of coral reefs

29 May 2024 to 29 May 2024

(Antigua and Barbuda Time)

Event

The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in partnership with the ��̽��, UNDP and UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the Government of Belize are hosting this event on the side lines of SIDS4 on the theme 'Revitalising SIDS Economies for accelerated and sustainable growth'.

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Empowering Waves: Celebrating Women in Oceans, Science, Art, Communications and Government on World Oceans Day

6 June 2024 to 6 June 2024

(BST)

Event

World Oceans Day, celebrated annually on June 8th, is dedicated to recognising the critical role that the ocean plays in our world. Oceans regulate our climate, provide food and resources, and fosters the biodiversity on which we all depend.

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Ministers call for collective ocean action ahead of CHOGM and COP29

Delegates attending the inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting in the Republic of Cyprus today committed to take forward their consultations to upcoming global summits.

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New gender equality toolkit for the ocean sector

��̽�� today launched a new toolkit to promote gender-responsive practices in ocean-related occupations.

Turning the Tides of Inclusion: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Ocean Sectors is a guide for policymakers, organisations, and individuals to help promote inclusion and unlock the full potential of sustainable blue economies.

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Commonwealth and Cyprus sign MOU on Blue Charter Centre of Excellence

��̽�� and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Blue Charter Centre of Excellence in Larnaca to strengthen governance for a sustainable blue economy and support scientific research on ocean protection.

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New online resources will help bridge ocean finance and knowledge gaps

Commonwealth countries, responsible for over a third of national ocean waters globally, can now access newly updated databases offering a compendium of ocean-related finance sources and training opportunities. 

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Turning the Tides of Inclusion: A Toolkit for Gender Equality in Ocean Sectors

This toolkit offers practical guidance on how to implement gender-responsive practices in marine conservation, fisheries, maritime transportation and tourism, in order to empower women and gender minorities and unlock the full potential of sustainable blue economies. Based on research and stakeholder consultations, and designed to provide clear guidance on meaningfully integrating gender perspectives into ocean policies and practices through practical guidance and best practices, the toolkit should serve as a valuable resource for it is an invaluable resource for policymakers, organisations and individuals dedicated to advancing gender equity in ocean sectors.

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Blog: How water can support peace and cooperation

The theme for this year’s World Water Day is Leveraging Water for Peace. It recognises the importance of water as a common good, especially between nations and disaffected groups of people.

Water is a fundamental resource for life. It is critical for sanitation, human development, and for the nature-providing ecosystem services and goods that maintain life as we know it.

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Cyprus to host first Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting

The inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will be held on 19 April 2024 in Cyprus, under the theme ‘Our Resilient Common Ocean: from Cyprus to Samoa’.

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Celebrating women’s work in ocean disciplines

Speakers at a Women’s Day webinar on the role of Indo-Pacific women in ocean protection and management have called for more meaningful approaches to gender mainstreaming.

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Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting

Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will establish a shared voice for Commonwealth countries on ocean issues. The inaugural meeting will take place in Cyprus from 18 to 19 April 2024.

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Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting

18 April 2024 to 19 April 2024

Event

Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting will establish a shared voice for Commonwealth countries on ocean issues.

The inaugural meeting will take place in Cyprus from 18 to 19 April 2024.

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Sovereign wealth fund leaders explore investing to achieve the Paris Agreement

Senior leaders from 21 sovereign wealth funds, managing over a trillion dollars in assets, gathered this week at the Commonwealth’s Headquarters in London to discuss scaling up investment to limit climate change.

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Commonwealth countries pioneer ocean-based debt-for-nature swaps

Commonwealth countries are breaking new ground with innovative financial deals that are cutting the cost of their national debt, while unlocking funds for vital marine conservation.

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Commonwealth meeting in Nairobi seeks to advance global treaty on plastic pollution

Each year, around 20 million tonnes of plastics end up in our rivers, lakes and seas. That’s equivalent to the weight of 20,000 cargo ships. It is waste that can take hundreds of years to decompose and it is altering our ecosystems and wildlife and impacting human health.

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��̽�� and UK Government Collaborate on Training Ahead of Key Plastics Treaty Negotiations

In a move to bolster treaty negotiations for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, the ��̽�� and the UK Government through the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have convened a training programme for Commonwealth government officials.

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Commonwealth Blue Charter invites expressions of interest for the 2024 Earthshot Prize

The search for the next winners of The Earthshot Prize 2024 has begun!

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Blog: Toward Achieving Access to Clean water and ensuring quality sanitation (SDG6): Innovations of Sulabh International

By Dr Ruth Kattumuri and Brenda Wagaba

The United Nations report (United Nations, 2023) is part of the global stocktake for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward achieving these goals by 2030.

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Commonwealth Environment and Climate Ministers Meeting

21 September 2023 to 21 September 2023

Conference

The first Commonwealth Environment and Climate Ministers Meeting (CECMM) will be held on 21 September 2023 (3PM - 6PM New York time), alongside the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in New York.

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Empowering Future Stewards: Commonwealth Youth for Ocean Science, Policy and Advocacy

8 August 2023 to 8 August 2023

Webinar

Join the Commonwealth Blue Charter in celebration of International Youth Day as we showcase youth-led ocean action and unlock the potential of youth as future leaders in ocean and marine conservation.

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Blog: "We need all hands on deck" - Commonwealth youth call for ocean action

The ocean is facing unprecedented challenges, from plastic pollution and overfishing to climate change and habitat destruction. As the custodians of the future, young people have a critical role to play in addressing these issues and shaping a sustainable future for our ocean.

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Small island states pave the path to sustainable fish trade

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are taking the lead in promoting responsible trade in sustainable fisheries by fostering collaboration and sharing successful strategies.

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New Commonwealth guide to help countries access clean energy financing

The ��̽�� has unveiled a new publication to support member countries in accessing finance for clean energy systems.

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She’s making waves – Celebrating women in ocean advocacy, science and the blue economy

7 June 2023 to 7 June 2023

Webinar

In celebration of World Ocean Day, the Commonwealth Blue Charter, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, will be spotlighting women in ocean sciences, from a policy, education, and community perspective.

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Commonwealth study points to green steel opportunity in East Africa

A study published by the ��̽�� has highlighted the potential for the East African Community (EAC) to establish a billion-dollar ‘green steel ecosystem’ and secure a profitable but less carbon-intensive steel industry for the region.

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