Commonwealth countries adopted the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration for One Resilient Common Future, which calls on all 56 Commonwealth nations to protect and restore the ocean in the face of severe climate change, pollution, and impacts related to over-exploitation.
The declaration was agreed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa on 26 October.
It paves the way for robust, ambitious, innovative, and transformative action for a common wealth of shared ocean prosperity, resilience, and sustainability that builds on national and collective efforts to protect the ocean and use it sustainably.
The 56 nations recognised the need for collective action to address the unique challenges faced by all Commonwealth members and emphasised the need to ensure participation and empowerment of all people in ocean-related decision-making and benefit-sharing, especially those in a situation of vulnerability.
The Prime Minister of Samoa, the Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, welcomed the agreement, saying, “It is fitting that our first ocean declaration is adopted in the Blue Pacific continent given climate change has been recognized as the single greatest threat to the security and well-being of our people. The ocean makes up 96 per cent of our region; and where we are amongst the first to most immediately suffer the impacts of climate change.
“The Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration for One Resilient Common Future must be a line in the sand from which the world collectively transforms ocean exploitation into protection and sustainable stewardship. We look forward to moving from words to action!”
The declaration has many key aspects that include reaffirming the protection of at least 30% of the ocean and restoring at least 30% of degraded marine ecosystems by 2030.
It recognizes the urgent finalization of the Global Plastics Treaty.
It urged members to accelerate ratification of the high-seas biodiversity Agreement on Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (known as the BBNJ Agreement).
It encourages the development and implementation of coastal climate adaption plans and strategies, including vulnerability assessments and nature-based solutions, such as blue carbon.
Members provided stepped up support for a sustainable blue economy with sustainable ocean plans, recognizing the need for 100% management of national waters, and a reduction of emissions from global maritime shipping.
It enhances marine renewable energy targets to meet the global climate goal of tripling renewable energy capacity, agreed as part of the UNFCCC Global Stocktake in Dubai last year.
Blue Charter
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, noted, “The incredible progress we have made with the Blue Charter that underpins this declaration helps member states rise to today's climate challenges and seize tomorrow's opportunities. I am confident that this declaration will have a profound and durable impact on the well-being of our people, ocean and planet."
“This document now sets the standard for forthcoming international meetings, generating momentum for ocean protection as we head towards COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, and next year’s UN Ocean Conference. We are immensely proud of this achievement and will leave no one behind as we advocate for stronger ocean protection.”
In 2018, Commonwealth leaders agreed to work together towards a sustainable ocean through the adoption of the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
Since then, 17 champion countries have led 10 Action Groups covering marine protection, sustainable blue economies, climate change and ocean pollution.
At the 2022 CHOGM in Rwanda, Governments called for a Commonwealth Ocean Declaration.
In April 2024, countries agreed on the priorities for the Ocean Declaration at the first-ever Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting in Cyprus.
The Commonwealth represents a third of the world’s population, and 49 of its 56 countries have a coastline.
Crucially, 25 Commonwealth nations are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), increasingly impacted by climate change, sea level rise, rising temperatures and increasing ocean acidity, impacting sea life, ecosystems and the communities that depend upon them.
