UNOC Side Event: Values-based Ocean Stewardship from the Coast to the High Seas

Date and time

Thursday 12 June, 14:45 – 15:30

Location

Salle Medusa, La Baleine (the Whale)

Organizers

This side event is a collaborative effort between the University of Edinburgh – Nippon Foundation Ocean Voices Programme, High Seas Alliance, FutureFaith, Turtle Village Trust and the Government of Fiji.

About this event

The side event aims to explore the multiple, layered and intersecting values that are central to how societies interact and care for marine ecosystems and species. While contemporary ocean governance frameworks often prioritize instrumental and market-based values, we argue that transformative action to collectively reach both SDG 14 and implement the BBNJ Agreement require a more holistic approach. Such an approach would acknowledge diverse value systems, including those of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), faith-based perspectives, and small island states, among others. This is particularly crucial as the scale of ocean stewardship extends from national waters into areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The side event is a first step in bringing together key actors to consider the diverse values that can inform ocean governance and the innovative frameworks that would be needed to take them into account from the coasts to the high seas, thereby promoting equity, legitimacy, and lasting impact. The participants will also consider the need to co-create an initiative (including a possible voluntary commitment) to build a coalition of actors supporting values-based ocean action, policy, and knowledge co-production.

Speakers

Dr. Filimon Manoni, the Pacific Ocean Commissioner

Alumita Sekinairai, Ocean Voices Programme and its project on Weaving Indigenous and Local Voices for Ocean Stewardship Project

Olive Vaai, High Seas Alliance

Gopal Patel, Future Faith

Kathryn Audroing, Turtle Village Trust

Representative of the Government of Fiji