• The constituting Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) enabling the creation of an Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) for the wider Caribbean was finalised at the last UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project Steering Committee Meeting held on 11-12 October 2021. This historic meeting was attended by representatives from twenty-five (25) States and Territories and fifteen (15) Organizations from the Wider Caribbean region.

   

• The English, Spanish and French texts of the OCM MOU are certified as being equally valid by the United Nations Division of Conference Services (Nairobi) in September 2023, enabling the opening of the OCM MOU for signature.

A counter has been installed on the homepage of the CLME+ Hub (clmeplus.org) that will allow progress towards this target (see the “Interactive Timeline” section on the homepage).

The landmark decision on the MoU has now cleared the road towards a multi-stakeholder platform that will allow to convene and discuss, plan and coordinate actions to restore and protect the region’s marine assets, in support of sustainable ocean-based economies and climate-resilient development.

The CM will seek to enhance collaboration and coordination for the conservation and sustainable use of the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems. In connection to this decision, members of the Steering Committee decided in key aspects of this Coordination Mechanism, which was requested under Action 3.2 of SAP CLME+

Is “the whole of interactions (among societal actors) taken to solve societal problems and to create societal opportunities”

Improvements in ocean governance at national, sub-regional and regional levels are vital for a successful achievement of SDG14 and other ocean-related SDGs.  The 10-year CLME+ Strategic Action Programme  (2015-2025) explicitly acknowledges weaknesses in ocean governance as one of the main root causes of ongoing degradation of the marine environment.

Given the high levels of fragmentation of ocean-related efforts in the wider Caribbean, the development of effective regional integrating and coordinating mechanisms is critically needed.

With the support of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project, 2 interim Coordination Mechanisms have been created, while the region works towards defining a Permanent Ocean Governance Coordination Mechanism and a prospective wide-ranging Partnership.