The United Nations Oceans Conference @UNOC 3 (UNOC-3) got underway in Nice, France today, June 9. The OECS partnered with several institutions including the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), and the Pacific Islands Development Forum to co-host a high-level side event at #UNOC3 titled: “Blueprints for the Future: Marine Spatial Planning, Financing, Ocean Data-Driven Decision-Making, and Global Cooperation.”

Susanna De Beauville-Scott, Programme Director for the OECS Sustainable Ocean Management Programme, spotlighted the region’s strides in ocean conservation and marine spatial planning. She noted that the OECS has developed Marine Spatial Plans (MSPs) for five Member States through the World Bank-funded Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP).

Other speakers included Dr. Branson Belle (UWI), Dr. Marc Williams (CRFM), and Ambassador Dean Jonas (Antigua and Barbuda). The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to boost collaboration for sustainable ocean governance.