The Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM)

and the OCM Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):

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20 KEY FACTS

virtual Consultation & Planning Meeting:

Expediting the Operationalization of the regional Ocean Coordination Mechanism

12 February 2024

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1. The OCM seeks to strengthen collaboration among countries and among intergovernmental organisations to collectively achieve and safeguard healthy marine and coastal ecosystems as a key driver for human wellbeing and thriving, sustainable and climate-resilient ocean-based economies in the wider Caribbean Region. (Article I.1)

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• The OCM objectives are (Article 2):

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• to support and enhance regional and intersectoral communication, collaboration and coordination
• to support interactive ocean governance
• to promote actions towards (common) ocean-related goals and commitments
• to promote wider-ranging partnerships

The SDG “wedding cake” - an alternative representation of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Agenda, Stockholm Resilience Centre

Conservation & restoration of marine and coastal natural capital

= the foundations on which to build sustainable economies

and reaching the “societal” & “economic” SDGs

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CLME+ SAP (2015-2025)

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REGIONAL VISION STATEMENT:

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A healthy marine environment

that supports the

livelihoods & well-being

of the Peoples

from the Region

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3. The OCM does not have legal personality

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• The MOU is not a legally binding instrument; it does not impose any legal obligations or commitments on its Signatories (Article I.3)

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• Provisions under the OCM MOU do not affect in any way the sovereign rights of the (prospective) OCM Member States

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6. Through the OCM MOU, Signatories do not intend to modify their own specific mandates.The MOU acknowledges and respects the distinct mandates, functions and competences of the IGOs that are Signatories to the MOU. (Article XIV.1c)

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• The OCM does not compete with, but rather supports its Member IGOs. The OCM IS its Members. By providing a common platform, the OCM will empower each and any of its Signatories in the exercise of their mandate. The OCM will help avoid duplication, create or enhance synergies and enable greater efficiency and effectiveness in the work of the Signatories (Article VI.2).

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8. The OCM will facilitate:

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• periodic integrated assessments of the state of the marine environment in the MOU area, and of its contributions to socio-economic development
• collective/regional-level priority-setting for action on the marine environment in the MOU area, based on the results from the aforementioned assessments (i.e. periodic development of regional “Strategic Action Programmes”)

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• The OCM will facilitate collaborative efforts towards: a strengthened regional science-policy interface

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• The OCM will facilitate collaborative efforts towards: identifying and addressing emerging issues

• TDA = Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis

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• Scientific & technical fact-finding
• Promote collaboration and build trust among countries that share an LME
• Originally (and still) frequently promoted as “analysis of problems”

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• SAP = Strategic Action Programme

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• Political priority-setting for joint action

each one of these steps

demand a joint/holistic,

coordinated

(multi-sectoral/stakeholder) approach

GEF-supported approach for Transboundary Water Systems

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11. The OCM organs will consist of:

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• Steering Group (1 representative per partcipating State/Territory)
• Executive Group (1 representative per participating IGO)
• Secretariat (initially to be exercised by the PROCARIBE+ Coordination Unit (PMCU), for the duration of the project)

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• Note: work of the OCM may further be supported by dedicated Working Groups

(Article IX)

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OCEAN COORDINATION MECHANISM (OCM)

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EXECUTIVE GROUP

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Intergovernmental Organizations

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Secretariat

PROCARIBE+ Project

Coordination Unit

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STEERING GROUP

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Countries

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12. The PROCARIBE+ Project (May 2023-May 2028) will financially support the operations of the OCM and its Secretariat throughout the project lifespan

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• All Signatory activities under the MOU are subject to the availability of staff and funding (i.e.: no financial obligations for the Signatories) (Article XIV.1b)

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14. The MOU is open for signature by any State, Territory or IGO listed in its Annex 1. (Article XX.2)

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• The OCM MOU will commence on the date that a minimum of seventeen (17) States or Territories and six (6) IGOs have signed this MOU. (Article XX.3)

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Texto Editable

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*in blue: have politically endorsed the SAP

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

OCM MOU Signatures to Date

OPENED FOR SIGNATURE: 6 OCTOBER 2023

min requirement for operationalization: 17 out of 32 countries ** 6 out of 11 IGOs

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16. Until the OCM MOU commences, the Secretariat of the CLME+ Interim Coordination Mechanism (ICM) (operated by the PROCARIBE+ PMCU) will act as the Custodian of the OCM MOU and will receive all signatures thereto. Prospective Signatories are therefore requested to contact the CLME+ ICM Secretariat (info@procaribeplus.org) (Article XX.1)

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• Once the OCM MOU commences, operations under the ICM will cease (Article XX.6)

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18. At any time, any Signatory may decide to discontinue its cooperation under this MOU (Article XXI.1)

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• The MOU is expected to remain operative unless dissolved by simple majority decisions by its Steering Group and Executive Group (Article XXI.2)

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• The English, Spanish and French language texts of the MOU has been certified as being equally valid by the United Nations Division of Conference Services

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