Regional workshop - Western Tropical Atlantic - UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development -

Do you hear me? – Can you understand me?

These were undoubtedly the most frequently asked questions at the Western Tropical Atlantic Regional Workshop in preparation for the UN Decade for Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

I don’t want to criticize this, and on the contrary, it seems to be completely normal in these COVID-19 times, where we (have to) renounce traveling and personal meetings and meet virtually, online, in the home office, at a home-based conference. It’s incredible enough that during the presentations, you quickly get the feeling that you are really in a university lecture hall in Mexico and not in your home office in your underwear and jacket. I think I also voted for the first time in my life (I am now 57 years old) online in real-time over thousands of kilometers.

All this worked out wonderfully, at least better than I had imagined, which may also be due to my little imagination.

And you can also be at an international conference (I mean being a real conference now) and be heard and still not understood – just said.

I’m all in.

It’s a great thing that the UN wants to promote ocean science and wants to spend a whole decade on raising awareness of this vital science for our survival. It deserves all respect and attention and all energy to support it. I’m all in.

I am proud that I, as a New Jamaican, together with my esteemed colleague Prof. Mona Webber from the UWI, could officially represent Jamaica at that workshop.

What still amazes me after so many years is that the topic of the ocean, the pollution of the world’s oceans, the sustainable use of the sea, and combating the impact on the sea associated with climate change (such as rising sea levels) have little or no attention here in Jamaica…will be continued.

Context for the workshop

Due to the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 virus, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030): Western Tropical Atlantic Regional Workshop Organizing Committee, together with the local host, have decided to host this workshop virtually instead of face to face meeting. The event will provide a two-day virtual forum to gather ocean leaders/champions/key stakeholders to further discuss and prioritize the issues identified at the First Global Planning Meeting.

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Following the First Global Planning Meeting, held in May, in Denmark, a Western Tropical Atlantic Workshop* will be convened in April 28-29, 2020. This event is being hosted by the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) and co-organized by the Government of Mexico with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) as coordinating body for the Decade and the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention (UN Environment).

The Western Tropical Atlantic Regional Workshop offers a crucial opportunity to co-design mission-oriented ocean research strategies in line with the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SGD 14, the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean, and the SAMOA Pathway.

It will aim to identify:
-Knowledge gaps and regional ocean science priorities for the 2030 Agenda
-Existing relevant partnerships/networks/initiatives and potential ones/interested partners
-Priorities in capacity-development/training-Priority themes and topics to be addressed by the Decade
-Other regional initiatives and meetings to be aligned with the Decade.

This workshop will be part of a continued global dialogue throughout 2020 via conference side-events, further thematic workshops and the Decade Online Community Platform to inform the planning of the Decade. The Decade of Ocean Science is an inclusive and truly global initiative, and broad engagement will be key to success.

*Countries, Associated Statesand Territories of the Western Tropical Atlantic: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas,Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao,Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti,Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherland, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts andNevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Surinam,Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela. Puerto Rico (United States ofAmerica), Anguilla (United Kingdom), British Virgin Islands (United Kingdom),Cayman Islands (United Kingdom), French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe (France),Montserrat (United Kingdom), Martinique (France), Bonaire, Saint Eustatius,Saba (Special Municipalities of the Netherlands), Saint Barthelemy (France),Saint Martin (France), Turks and Caicos (United Kingdom), United States VirginIslands (United States of America).

United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 2021- 2030: Regional Workshop for the Western Tropical Atlantic

April 28th and 29th, 2020. Organized and transmitted by UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) Program of the Virtual Meeting in Mexico City The main objective of this Regional Consultation is to facilitate dialogue and discussion for experts and stakeholders to define the scientific priorities for the Western Tropical Atlantic region for the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 and to engage and identify new and broader stakeholders and partnerships. This meeting is part of point 13 of the Work Plan of the Pro Tempore Presidency of Mexico at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) “Sustainable Management of the Oceans”, which aims to identify the main regional and sub-regional needs to contribute to the countering of the effects of climate change and promote the blue economy.

Opening / Welcome

High authorities appreciated the participation of experts, decision makers and representatives of civil society, stressing the importance of this dialogue in view of the Decade of Ocean Sciences (2021-2030), which aims to have a Plan of Action on ocean management that will allow science to be used to have clean, resilient, safe, productive, transparent and accessible oceans. To this end, they stressed the importance of coordinating inter and transdisciplinary efforts to achieve the goals set out in Agenda 2030.
On behalf of the Mexican Government, the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Martha Delgado, sent a message to the audience thanking all the people who for two days would be refining the Regional Action Plan for the decade. She highlighted that the workshop was promoted by the Mexican Government in coordination with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), within the framework of the 2020 Pro Tempore Presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which includes among its 14 work areas the Sustainable Management of the Oceans, a regional priority, mainly for the Caribbean nations that make up the community.

Working Group 1: A clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified, quantified and reduced and pollutants are removed from the ocean

Experts pointed out the pressing need for science focused on creating well-being in nations, with an introspective approach, focused on local needs, inclusive, participatory, with a gender perspective, that includes youth, that includes private sector, and promotes partnerships.
As an introduction, the existing international instruments that consider the protection of oceans such as the Cartagena Convention and the main Summits on International Environmental Law were recalled. In addition, it was highlighted that an ocean that is not clean not only affects the environment, but also tourism, fishing activity and underwater ecosystems, making it necessary to take action to clean up the oceans.
The dumping of nitrogen (610 tons) and phosphorus (100,000 tons) and its adverse effects such as the increasing production of sargassum that has invaded the beaches of the Greater Caribbean in recent years were highlighted. Finally, they pointed out that the cleaning up of the oceans must be accompanied by the promotion of blue and circular economy in order to promote sustainability.

Working Group 2: A healthy and resilient ocean in which marine ecosystems are mapped and protected, multiple impacts including climate change are measured and reduced, and ocean ecosystem delivery is maintained.

The Wild Caribbean is the most diverse and complex sub-region in terms of marine resources and ecosystems. In addition, the effects of environmental degradation affect the economy, tourism, fisheries, mining, hydrocarbons and services. The lack of information has led to the deprivation of decision makers on environmental issues, hence the need to build bridges between academia and Governments and to promote the exchange of information on the matter.
As a result of the accelerated climate change in recent years, natural phenomena have occurred with greater frequency and intensity. Therefore, priority will be given to research on deep oceans, promoting academic cooperation among higher education institutions. That needs a more active participation by the private sector as it is one of the actors most affected by the impacts of climate change and also one of the main responsible of environmental deterioration.

Panel on cross-cutting issues

The decade will include the contributions of young scientists who are particularly concerned about the effects of climate change, as they and future generations are the most affected. Gender perspective will also be a cross-cutting subject in all research projects of the decade. Most of the research will be inter and transdisciplinary due to the nature of the phenomenon to be studied.
An approach of communication and respect with indigenous and local communities will be adopted, betting on a science that considers history and humanity in research and decisions that will be centered on people, leaving no one behind.
The promotion of ocean literacy will be vital in the next decade. Strategies will be designed in formal education, but also in citizenship that builds social commitment and makes visible the main ocean issues and how they impact on daily life.
The private sector will be involved in the activities of the decade, promoting blue economy and activities involved on the business sector (tourism, fishing, aquaculture, mining, services and marine transport). The exchange of information and knowledge will be promoted, as well as any good practices in this area.

Working Group 3: A predicted ocean whereby society has the capacity to understand current and future ocean conditions, forecast their change and impact on human wellbeing and livelihoods

The need to further explore and understand the deep ocean was highlighted, since due to its vast volume it is not properly observed or fully understood.
The importance of carrying out a more complete scientific analysis of the ocean, including physical and chemical issues, as well as biological investigations that allow more reliable explanations of its current condition and the changes we are experiencing were discussed.
It was also pointed out that it is particularly important that global models that concentrate information obtained from oceans take into account small islands.
The need to promote dialogue between scientists, policy-makers, decision-makers, civil society organizations and ocean companies for the identification and development of engaged approaches to solutions for the sustainability of the oceans.

Working Group 4: A safe ocean whereby human communities are protected from ocean hazards and where the safety of operations at sea and on the coast is ensured.

The need for solving ocean problems such as hurricanes, storm surges, tsunamis, harmful algal blooms (such as sargassum) or coastal erosion was highlighted, which are devastating for coastal communities and small island States, as they cause economic problems and the loss of human lives.
Research aimed at reducing ocean problems through adaptation, mitigation and assessment of social and physical limitations will be promoted. It will help to better identify natural changes that are caused by humans.
The importance of education and training on these issues was also highlighted, since knowledge by the population helps us to reduce consequences of ocean hazards.

Working Group 5: A sustainably and productively harvested ocean that ensures alternative food supplies and livelihoods

• Relationship between ocean sustainability and food security is evident. Therefore, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture will be major research areas during the decade. Although ocean management mainly impacts on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on life bellow water, actions on oceans are linked to the rest of Agenda 2030, mainly to the goals under SDG 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13 and 15. • There should be coordination between the large number of governmental and non- governmental agencies to promote connectivity between countries and territories that comprise the sub-region, the work should be articulated to promote scientific research; communication; governance; capacity building and implementation. For this, political will and strategic alliances are needed.

Panel on cross-cutting issues

The decade will include the contributions of young scientists who are particularly concerned about the effects of climate change, as they and future generations are the most affected. Gender perspective will also be a cross-cutting subject in all research projects of the decade. Most of the research will be inter and transdisciplinary due to the nature of the phenomenon to be studied.
An approach of communication and respect with indigenous and local communities will be adopted, betting on a science that considers history and humanity in research and decisions that will be centered on people, leaving no one behind.
The promotion of ocean literacy will be vital in the next decade. Strategies will be designed in formal education, but also in citizenship that builds social commitment and makes visible the main ocean issues and how they impact on daily life.
The private sector will be involved in the activities of the decade, promoting blue economy and activities involved on the business sector (tourism, fishing, aquaculture, mining, services and marine transport). The exchange of information and knowledge will be promoted, as well as any good practices in this area.

Working Group 6: A transparent and accessible ocean whereby all nations, stakeholders and citizens have access to ocean data and information, technologies and have the capacities to inform their decisions.

The need for a transparent ocean that facilitates access to privileged information that is useful for decision-making was addressed.
Emphasis was placed on the need to create initiatives in the Greater Caribbean region, based on those that already exist so as not to start from scratch.
The importance of establishing research alliances for decision-making involving scientists, governments, companies, academies and young people was discussed.
The need for open data, better knowledge of the environment, standardization of good practices and information to society was highlighted.
Finally, the importance of taking into account the basic needs of indigenous communities was highlighted, and it was emphasized that not all are equal.

Panel on cross-cutting issues

Transparent ocean: it is one that can not only be exploited, described and understood, but also one where open data allows everyone to benefit from information and help sustainable development.
The challenge is to establish information exchange protocols, the data of which can be located, accessible, interoperable and reusable.
The strengthening of public-private alliances between different sectors involved.
The importance of involving the social sciences was also highlighted, through interdisciplinary work on oceanographic issues that historical and archaeological research can contribute, in order to avoid maritime accidents. Likewise, the association of accidents with weather events was discussed.

Finally, the importance of political commitment was mentioned so that these efforts can be included in public policies, taking into account the effort being made at the regional level.