Page 70 - Livre_MOW2021_EN

68 | TRANSITION AND SOLUTIONS

A NEW NARRATIVE
Because The Ocean

signatories prepare

for COP26

An online workshop on 23 March 2021 brought together 52 representatives
from countries which have signed an initiative to take a stand for the ocean.

This panel discussion sought to make the ocean THE VOICE OF MEMBER
central to COP26 objectives. It brought together re- STATES
presentatives from 17 of the 39 signatory countries,
as well as international senior officials. The meeting The ambassador of Sweden, Helen Agren, coordi-
started with the promising observation of “a new nated the web meeting. She handed over to various
ocean narrative”. The adviser to the deputy chair parties from the Because The Ocean (BTO) initiative,
of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (Sylvie which was able to build on its momentum and com-
Goyet) was confident in the ecosystem’s increasing mitments. Since COP21, work by BTO signatories
importance in international negotiations since the - alongside HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco - has
Paris Agreement. However, “the ocean must make helped to push forward the ocean agenda in discus-
its voice heard during negotiations in 2021”, com- sions on climate within the United Nations Framework
mented Stephanie Ockenden, from the British De- Convention on Climate Change.
partment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,
reflecting the future presidency of COP26 and reitera-
ting the United Kingdom’s commitment of £500 mil- AN OCEAN AGENDA
lion through the Blue Planet Fund. The ambassador TO PREPARE FOR COP
Waldemar Coutts, Director of Climate and the Envi-
ronment with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile MEETINGS
(COP25 president), called for a second “blue COP”, Representatives from signatory countries each out-
strengthening the ties between the ocean and climate lined the priorities of this ocean agenda: dealing
and encouraging blue finance. with coastal vulnerability, looking deeper into ocean
sciences and climate in line with the latest IPCC re-
ports, dedicating a fund to the ocean, reinforcing
cooperation and international financial support... The
areas for action and research have converged towar-
ds a holistic approach likely to have more influence
during COP26 (climate) and COP15 (biodiversity).