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Background and Context

Towards a regional Ocean Coordination Mechanism

What came before

Patrick Debels

ICM Secretariat

PatrickD@unops.org

virtual Consultation & Planning Meeting:

Expediting the Operationalization of the regional Ocean Coordination Mechanism

12 February 2024

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Healthy marine ecosystems are critical to sustaining life on earth. They underpin and connect ecosystems

goods & services, human health

and key economic sectors.

Yet they face unprecedented threats.

Ocean ecosystems are under pressure from

climate change, acidification, habitat loss, pollution, fishing, shipping, and seabed mining.

More often than not,

marine ecosystems cross national boundaries

- their adequate governance & management

demands regional-level coordination and collaboration

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY

Funding Line:

International Waters

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66 Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs)

LME’s:

produce about 80% of global annual marine fishery biomass.

contribute USD 12.6 trillion in goods and services each year to the global economy.

due to their close proximity to developed coastlines, LMEs are in danger of ocean pollution, overexploitation, and habitat degradation.

5 = Gulf of Mexico LME; 12 = Caribbean LME; 17 = North Brazil Shelf LME

transboundary LME’s in the WCR:

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UNEP REGIONAL SEAS PROGRAMME

Cartagena Convention

1983/86

recognition of need for transboundary coordination

is NOT something new!

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recognition of need for transboundary coordination

is NOT something new!

Regional Fisheries Bodies

map source: Regulatory areas of regional fishery bodies* with the mandate to manage... | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)

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LME22

Paris, July 2023

Status of cross-sectoral regional collaboration in the wider Caribbean Region

CLME+ region =

Caribbean + North Brazil Shelf

Large Marine Ecosystems

4,4 million km2

26 States +

18 Overseas Territories,

of which many are SIDS

LME = meaningful geospatial unit for Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM)

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Saint Lucia

BVI (UK)^1,2,3

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The Rising Pressures on Ocean Governance | International Institute for Sustainable Development (iisd.org)

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The world must pull together to stem the crises in our oceans | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

Turning treaties into action: what’s next for ocean governance (economist.com)

The climate crisis is an ocean crisis: We need to act now - World Ocean Initiative (economist.com)

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TDA = Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis

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

SAP = Strategic Action Programme

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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Global overview of transboundary water systems/LME’s where the TDA/SAP approach has been or is being implemented with financial support from the GEF

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3 (+1) key transboundary problems:

Habitat degradation
Unsustainable fisheries
Pollution

Cross-cutting: climate change

CLME PROJECT: regional Transboundary Diagnostic Analyses

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regional Transboundary Diagnostic Analyses

regional Strategic Action Programme

CLME PROJECT: regional Strategic Action Programme

3 (+1) key transboundary problems:

Habitat degradation
Unsustainable fisheries
Pollution

Cross-cutting: climate change

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SAP Core Development Team

(regional organizations + CLME Project Unit)

developed draft inputs for the different SAP Strategies

SAP CDT IGO members of the SAP CDT present draft actions for review to their Constituents/Member Countries

final draft SAP is taken to the CLME Project Steering Committee for Technical Approval

AGREEING ON THE REGIONAL SAP PRIORITY ACTIONS

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ORGANIZATIONS MEMBER OF THE CLME STEERING COMMITTEE
ORGANIZATIONS MEMBER OF THE CLME STEERING COMMITTEE
ACS	CCCCC	CERMES	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS	OSPESCA	UNDP	UNEP CEP	UN ECLAC

PARTICIPANTS AT FINAL CLME STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING : TECHNICAL APPROVAL OF THE 10-YEAR CLME SAP ✔

Wider Caribbean Region: States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba**	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela**

IN BLUE = CLME Project Participating Countries/Organizations (Full Members of the CLME Steering Committee)

IN BOLD = Members of the SAP Core Development Team IN RED = Observer status on the Steering Committee

** CLME associate countries (also Full Members of the CLME Steering Committee as per the SC TORs)

green background = PROVIDED INPUTS FOR/TO THE MEETING, BUT DID NOT/COULD NOT TRAVEL AND PARTICIPATE IN PERSON IN THE MEETING

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10-YEAR STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME (CLME SAP)

FINALIZED AND TECHNICALLY APPROVED

AT THE 4th AND FINAL CLME PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING,

COLOMBIA, 6 MARCH 2013

AND SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMITTED FOR POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT

Cartagena, Colombia - Monday 11 march 2013.

Last week, host country Colombia saw delegates from the Fisheries and Environment Ministries of 21 states from the Caribbean region and adjacent areas convening in Cartagena de Indias. Meeting participants discussed and agreed on a 10-year Programme of Strategic Actions aimed at securing “enhanced long-term socio-economic benefits”, to be obtained from a more sustainable management of the region’s living marine resources.

On Wednesday 6 March 2013 at the 4th and final Steering Committee Meeting of the “Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem” Project convened in the city of Cartagena, Colombia, many years of preparatory work culminated in the technical approval of a 30-page document: the CLME Strategic Action Programme (SAP). This document provides both participating countries and the donor community with a framework and guidelines for concerted action in the fields of fisheries enhancement, fisheries sustainability, biodiversity and ecosystem protection, and alternative livelihoods. Now that the document was approved at the technical level by the Steering Committee, it will be be brought to the responsible ministries in all participating countries for their political endorsement, after which new investments can be attracted to the region to help implement the programme.

The 4th Meeting of the CLME Steering Committee -which was co-chaired by Bahamas and the host country Colombia- took place in the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on 5 and 6 March 2013. The meeting counted with representatives from a record number of 21 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States of America. Contributions were further also received from Barbados, Mexico, Nicaragua and Grenada who could not travel to Cartagena but provided inputs via alternative means.

4th Meeting of the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME) Proyect (sica.int)

(PRESS RELEASE OSPESCA)

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ORGANIZATIONS MEMBER OF THE CLME STEERING COMMITTEE
ORGANIZATIONS MEMBER OF THE CLME STEERING COMMITTEE
CERMES	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OSPESCA	UNEP CEP	CANARI (tbc)	UN ECLAC (tbc)	ACS (tbc)

POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT OF THE CLME SAP

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

IN BLUE = CLME PROJECT PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES/ORGANIZATIONS/STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

IN BOLD = MEMBERS OF THE SAP CORE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

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Q&A

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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

CLME+ SAP (2015-2025)

REGIONAL VISION STATEMENT:

A healthy marine environment

that supports the

livelihoods & well-being

of the Peoples

from the Region

So this first-ever 10-year regional SAP was built around a regionally adopted Vision Statement for the Wider Caribbean, which in its short version reads as: “A healthy marine environment that supports people’s livelihoods and well-being. And this vision statement was actually made before the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda came into being - but we can actually see how well it is compatible with the Agenda’s aspirations - and how it correctly linked protection of the marine environment with sustainable development. The “SDG Wedding Cake” in this slide, which is an alternative representation of the different SDGs, and their interdependence, ideaed by the Stockholm Resilience Center, very accurately illustrates how ineffective protection of the marine environment, SDG14, would “undermine” the achievement of all other SDGs. You take out the basis of the cake, and everything else comes crumbling down. But at the same time, and I want to especially stress this in the context of today’s meeting: the concept of the wedding cake again underpins: the need for enhanced coordination and collaboration on the ocean

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Why we need to tackle the ocean funding crisis (economist.com)

LACK OF RESOURCES - AND/OR EXCESSIVE FRAGMENTATION OF RESOURCES?

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STRATEGY 3 Establish and operationalize a regional ocean coordination mechanism			Time Frame
			Short Term (0-5yrs)	Medium Term (6-10yrs)
ACT I ONS	3.1.	Establish and Interim Coordination Mechanism
	3.2.	Evaluate all options and propose a geographically inclusive, permanent mechanism, with clear mandate
	3.3.	Adopt and operationalize the mechanism
	3.3.	Adopt and operationalize the mechanism
	3.4	Strengthen science-policy interfaces*

The politically endorsed 10-year CLME+ SAP (2015-25)

*Ocean Decade!

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SAP STRATEGY # 3: REGIONAL COORDINATION
SAP STRATEGY # 3: REGIONAL COORDINATION
ACTION 3.1 “establish interim mechanism”	ACTION 3.2 “evaluate options, propose long-term solution”	ACTION 3.3 (short-term ** 0-5 years) “adopt the long-term solution”	ACTION 3.3 (medium-term ** 5-10 years) “operationalize the long-term solution”
2017: Interim Coordination Mechanism, established through an MOU 8+1* IGO’s: CARICOM, CCAD, ECLAC, FAO WECAFC, CRFM, IOCARIBE, OECS, OSPESCA, UNEP CEP 13 Meetings to date 2021 Addendum to the MOU
UNDP/GEF PROJECT “CLME+” (2015-2021)

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The ICM OBJECTIVES are

to enhance regional coordination and collaboration,

support oversight and integration of actions

for sustainable fisheries

and for the protection and sustainable use of the marine environment.

The ICM will also promote the up-scaling of actions by all sectors of society towards the achievement of the long-term vision of the CLME+ SAP in support of sustainable ocean based economies

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the CLME+ Interim Coordination Mechanism, created in 2017
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat MoU Signature: Secretary-General	CCAD MoU Signature: Executive Secretary	CRFM MoU Signature: Executive Director		FAO WECAFC MoU Signature: Director-General	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE) MoU Signature: Executive Secretary
OECS Commission MoU Signature: Director General	OSPESCA MoU Signature: Regional Director	UN ECLAC MoU Signature: Executive Secretary		UNEP CEP MoU Signature: Executive Director
ICM Secretariat = CLME+ Project Coordination Unit

ICM observers
ACS			UNDP

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SAP STRATEGY # 3: REGIONAL COORDINATION
SAP STRATEGY # 3: REGIONAL COORDINATION
ACTION 3.1 “establish interim mechanism”	ACTION 3.2 “evaluate options, propose long-term solution”	ACTION 3.3 (short-term ** 0-5 years) “adopt the long-term solution”	ACTION 3.3 (medium-term ** 5-10 years) “operationalize the long-term solution”
2017: Interim Coordination Mechanism, established through an MOU 8+1* IGO’s: CARICOM, CCAD, ECLAC, FAO WECAFC, CRFM, IOCARIBE, OECS, OSPESCA, UNEP CEP 13 Meetings to date 2021 Addendum to the MOU	2017-2021: REGIONAL NEGOTIATIONS: mandate, functions, format & establishing modality for a long-term Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) 11 IGO’s + 32 States & Territories
UNDP/GEF PROJECT “CLME+” (2015-2021)

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SAP ACTION 3.2 IMPLEMENTED THROUGH CLME PROJECT CONSULTANCY

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SAP ACTION 3.2 IMPLEMENTED THROUGH CLME PROJECT CONSULTANCY

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Meeting/Event	Date	Objectives
First Regional Consultation - options for an Ocean Coordination Mechanism	25 – 26 September 2018	• Sensitize Wider Caribbean countries about the Consultancy, its different Phases, and the expected final outcomes • Provide Wider Caribbean countries a forum to share their national position on the proposed OCM with other countries • Discuss and prioritize a short-list of OCM options for further development under Phase II of the Consultancy • Obtain from Wider Caribbean countries and the CLME+ SAP Interim Coordination Mechanism their continued commitment towards the OCM • Agree on an approach for the way forward and next steps under Phase II
Second Regional Consultation on the Ocean Coordination Mechanism	30 July – 1 August 2019	• Discuss, further fine-tune and achieve consensus on the proposed mandate and functions of the Coordination Mechanism • Discuss, further fine-tune and achieve consensus on the proposed structure of the Coordination Mechanism, particularly the roles of countries, IGOs and the Secretariat • Discuss options and formulate preferences or recommendations for the potential hosting of the Coordination Mechanism by a country or organization • Discuss the preferred type of establishing agreement for the Coordination Mechanism and recommend the way forward • Discuss and select the preferred financing options for the Coordination Mechanism and recommend the way forward (short term and long term) • Discuss, further fine-tune and agree on the proposed road map towards the establishment of the Coordination Mechanism, and towards a sustainably financed Regional Ocean Governance Framework
CLME+ Project Intersessional Steering Committee Meeting	16-18 June 2020	• Take high level decisions related to “CLME+ Project Output 1.1- Decisions on coordination and cooperation arrangements and institutional mandates in line with SAP Strategy 3 cross- sectoral policy coordination.” • Agree on the way forward in relation to the process for establishing a permanent Coordination Mechanism • Review, revise and endorse the elements/components of a new project concept, to ensure continuity of the CLME+ Initiative • Update members of the Project Steering Committee on CLME+ Project (technical and financial) implementation status, and review/revision and approval of the 2020-2021 Work Plan • Review the findings, to date, of, and provide inputs for the CLME+ Terminal Evaluation

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OCM MoU Special Drafting Group (4 meetings)	6 August 2020 2-3 September 2020 15-16 September 2020 24 September 2020	• Review and make recommendations on the draft Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of a Coordination Mechanism for enhanced ocean governance in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+)
Special Meeting of the CLME+ Project Steering Committee	20-21 October 2020	• To advance work on the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the creation of the “Coordination Mechanism to support integrated Ocean Governance in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems”
Coordination Mechanism MoU Consultation	4 February 2021	• To discuss the comments, responses and recommendations emanating from the Coordination Mechanism MoU survey conducted. Through this consultation, interested PSC members, or their representatives, will review the comments received from the survey, in relation to the remaining bracketed areas, and make suggestions for what could be the final MOU text, for the consideration of the PSC during the Coordination Mechanism MoU agenda item on February.
Third and Final Regular Meeting of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project Steering Committee	23 - 25 February 2021	• Debrief the PSC on the status of project implementation (technical & financial) • Share the main outputs emanating from the CLME+ Project • Present the main findings from the Project’s Terminal Evaluation • Finalise negotiations and obtain consensus on the text of the Coordination Mechanism Memorandum of Understanding • Present and discuss the status of the new UNDP/GEF Project Concept Note for the continuity of the CLME+ initiative
Final and Special Meeting of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project Steering Committee	11-12 October 2021	6. Provisionally finalizes on the 12th day of October 2021, the MoU and its associated “Annex 1”, as contained in Document “211004 - Coordination Mechanism draft MoU EN & SP and Annex 1: Potential Country & IGO Signatories” and decides to open the MoU for signature, subject to language reconciliation. 10. Acknowledges (a) the relevance of swiftly operationalizing the coordination mechanism and (b) invites States, Territories and Inter-Governmental Organisations listed in Annex 1 to sign the MoU as soon as possible after the MoU is open for signature to ensure its prompt commencement, noting that the coordination mechanism MoU is expected to commence on the date that a minimum of twenty-three (23) potential Signatories, including no fewer than seventeen (17) States or Territories and six (6) IGOs, have signed the MoU.

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
others
ACS					UNDP

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

*in blue: have politically endorsed the SAP

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

First Regional Consultation - options for an Ocean Coordination Mechanism, 25 – 26 September 2018 : participants

For a detailed list of meeting participants, please contact info@procaribeplus.org

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
others
ACS				CBC	UNDP

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

*in blue: have politically endorsed the SAP

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

Second Regional Consultation on the Ocean Coordination Mechanism, 30 July – 1 August 2019 : participants

For a detailed list of meeting participants, please contact info@procaribeplus.org

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
others
ACS	GEF SECRETARIAT	CANARI	GCFI	CERMES	UNDP

*in blue: have politically endorsed the SAP

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

CLME+ Project Intersessional Steering Committee Meeting, June 16-18 2020 : participants

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

For a detailed list of meeting participants, please contact info@procaribeplus.org

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
others
CANARI		GCFI		CERMES		UNDP

*in blue: have politically endorsed the SAP

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

Special Meeting of the CLME+ Project Steering Committee, October 20-21, 2020 : participants

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

For a detailed list of meeting participants, please contact info@procaribeplus.org

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SAP ACTION 3.2 IMPLEMENTED THROUGH CLME PROJECT CONSULTANCY

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OCEAN COORDINATION MECHANISM (OCM)

EXECUTIVE GROUP

Intergovernmental Organizations

Secretariat

PROCARIBE+ Project

Coordination Unit

STEERING GROUP

Countries

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SAP ACTION 3.2 IMPLEMENTED THROUGH CLME PROJECT CONSULTANCY

Come October 2020, and the CLME Steering Committee looked at what emanated from the drafting group - and as you can see: we were almost there! The target was then set forward to finalize the text at the final Steering Committee Meeting of the CLME Project, which was scheduled for February 2021. Reason also here was, we wanted to get a new project proposal, asap to the GEF, so that we could mobilize the funding that would then support the operations of the mechanism. And before we could ask for new funds, we need at least a “partial”, or “preliminary “ independent Terminal Evaluation of the CLME Project - and such evaluations are typically required around the timing of the final regular Project Steering Committee Meeting - so you can see, there was really strategic thinking involved here, that really looked beyond “the next corner”, to say so, well in advance

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SAP ACTION 3.2 IMPLEMENTED THROUGH CLME PROJECT CONSULTANCY

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4 February 2021 Consultation on the draft OCM MOU text - Participants List (“petit committee” with those who had expressed interest in working on the draft OCM MOU text before it was taken to the CLME+ PSC for approval))

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CONFERENCE OF PARTIES FOR THE CARTAGENA CONVENTION (COPS)

IGM18

COP15

5 - 6 June 2019

Roatán, Honduras

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
others
ACS				CBC	UNDP

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

*in blue: have politically endorsed the SAP

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting, 23-25 Feb 2021 : participants

GEF Secretariat

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Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting : participants

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Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting : participants

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Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting : participants

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Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting : participants

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DECISIONS

Having convened (...) with a total of 109 participants representing 31 States and Territories and 13 organizations (...)

Agreed on the following recommendations and decisions related to the Coordination Mechanism

Technical endorsement of the Coordination Mechanism MoU:

Technically endorses the content of the MoU Enabling the Creation of a Coordination Mechanism to Support Integrated Ocean Governance (...) and the associated Annex 1

Encourages States, Territories and IGOs listed in Annex I to the MoU to submit the document to their legal departments for review to allow for the finalization and subsequent opening for signature of the Coordination Mechanism MoU and to submit any comments/recommendations (...) no later than end of April 2021
Requests the PCU to convene a special Meeting of the CLME+ Project Steering Committee with the aim of achieving finalization and opening for signature of the OCM MOU before the end of June 2021

Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting (23-25 February 2021)

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Acknowledges:

that it is up to each State/Territory to determine who would sign the MOU and who will represent them in the Steering Group

that national representation on the Steering Group should be such that it will facilitate the successful achievement of the goals and objectives of the Mechanism, and enable adequate articulation among regional-level and national-level ocean coordination processes

the importance of well-functioning National Inter-sectoral Coordination Mechanisms

the importance of simultaneously and expeditiously moving towards the commencement of both the PROCARIBE+ Project and the Coordination Mechanism

DECISIONS

Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting (23-25 February 2021)

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DECISIONS

Indicates preliminary support for the following approach towards achieving (...) sustainability of the Coordination Mechanism, while acknowledging that the Steering Group (...) may revisit and adjust the approach, and taking into account that a number of States and Territories have voiced their opposition to mandatory financial contributions

Short & medium-term (2021/2-2027):

Coordination Mechanism Secretariat and other Organs operate (largely) with financial support from the PROCARIBE+ Project

PROCARIBE+ Project period used to demonstrate and evaluate CM added value

CM considers a range of options and decides, prior to PROCARIBE+ Project end, on post-Project financing mechanism(s)

Final Regular CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting (23-25 February 2021)

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28 - 30 July 2021

Virtual

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
others institutions
ACS		CANARI	CERMES	GFCI	GEF Secretariat		UNDP

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

*in blue: have politically endorsed the SAP

*indirectly through CRFM Ministerial Council Endorsement

Final Special CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting Oct21 (finalization & approval of MOU text) : participants

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
ICM observers
ACS					UNDP

LEGAL ADVISORS at FINAL PSCM

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SPECIAL AND FINAL MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE

OF THE UNDP/GEF CLME+ PROJECT (11 - 12 October 2021)

RECOMMENDATIONS AND DECISIONS

The CLME+ Project Steering Committee:

Having convened a Special Meeting (...) with a total of 98 participants representing 25 States and Territories* and 15 Organizations

Provisionally finalizes, subject to language reconciliation, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Enabling the Creation of a Coordination Mechanism to Support Integrated Ocean Governance in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (...) as constituting the MoU to enable the commencement and operationalization of the ocean coordination mechanism called for under Strategy 3, Action 3.3, of the CLME+ SAP.

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SPECIAL AND FINAL MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE

OF THE UNDP/GEF CLME+ PROJECT (11 - 12 October 2021)

RECOMMENDATIONS AND DECISIONS

Requests the ICM Secretariat to announce the Opening for Signature of the MoU (...) as soon as the language reconciliation process (...) has concluded, while encouraging all IGO’s listed in Annex 1 to subsequently and formally inform their Constituents, at their earliest convenience and as applicable, of the Opening for Signature of the MoU.

Acknowledges (a) the relevance of swiftly operationalizing the coordination mechanism and (b) invites States, Territories and Inter-Governmental Organisations listed in Annex 1 to sign the MoU as soon as possible (...) noting that the (...) MoU is expected to commence on the date that (...) no fewer than 17 States or Territories and 6 IGOs have signed the MoU.

Acknowledges the role of the Secretariat of the CLME+ Interim Coordination Mechanism (ICM) as (interim) Custodian of the coordination mechanism MoU and of the signatures thereto

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Final Special CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting (finalization & approval of MOU text) : participants

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Final Special CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting (finalization & approval of MOU text) : participants

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Final Special CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting (finalization & approval of MOU text) : participants

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Final Special CLME+ Steering Committee Meeting (finalization & approval of MOU text) : participants

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SG = Steering Group / EG = Executive Group

regional 10-year STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME “CLME+ SAP”(2015-2025),
STRATEGY 3: CROSS SECTORAL COORDINATION
Action 3.1	Action 3.2	Action 3.3	Action 3.3 (cont’d)
2017: Interim Coordination Mechanism (ICM) established Membership: 9 IGO’s (CARICOM, CCAD, CRFM, ECLAC, IOCARIBE, OECS, OSPESCA, UNEP CEP, WECAFC) 12 meetings to date	2015-17 evaluation of options for the “Ocean Coordination Mechanism” (OCM) 2017-21 regional negotiations on format, mandate, functions Proposed membership: countries (SG) + IGO’s (EG)	2020: agreement on key aspects of MOU October 2021: Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) MOU text approved GEF approved concept note for PROCARIBE+
CLME+ (2015-2021)			PROCARIBE+ (2023-2028)

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https://clmeplus.org/regional-coordination-mechanisms/

access to meeting decisions, participants list, …

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Q&A

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UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Project

May 2023 - May 2028

GEF grant: USD 15,4 M

successor to the CLME (2009-2014) and CLME+ (2015-2021) Projects,

and supporting the implementation of the

10-year regional Strategic Action Programme on the Marine Environment (CLME+ SAP; 2015-25*)

Protecting and Restoring the Ocean’s natural Capital, building Resilience and supporting region-wide Investments for sustainable Blue socio-Economic development

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Enhanced regional coordination and collaboration

Regional Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM)
Multi-stakeholder partnership(s)
New multi-stakeholder regional Strategic Action Programme (SAP)

Enhanced national capacity and enabling conditions

National Intersectoral Committees (NIC) connected to OCM
National Blue Economy scoping + Marine Reporting
Training & Capacity-Building (Marine Spatial Planning, Source-to-Sea, Blue Carbon,…)
Mainstream the marine environment in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) (Blue Carbon,…)

Key actions by all sectors of society

Micro-financing schemes for Civil Society and MSME supporting oceans (SGP)
Enabling conditions for a blue carbon financing instrument (country pilot)
Planning for Blue Economies and Marine Spatial Planning
Enhanced area-based ocean conservation (MPA/OECM)
Traceability for key Fisheries Products
Enhanced gear & practices in spiny lobster fisheries

Knowledge Management and Marine Data Infrastructure

Knowledge Management Hub “owned” by the OCM Membership, managed by the OCM Secretariat, and supported by the partnership(s)
“Blueprint” for the regional Marine Data Landscape/Infrastructure
Development of the Regional “State of the Marine Environment and Associated Economies” (SOMEE)
Alliance with IW:LEARN

1

2

3

4

PROCARIBE+ : 4 COMPONENTS

The project is structured around 4 components, each one with a different focus.

Most of the activities under C1 and C4 are meant to be guided, adopted and/or endorsed by the OCM

C1 will work at enhancing regional coordination and collaboration, through the operationalization of a region-wide Ocean Coordination Mechanism that will integrate all the countries in the CLME+ region and inter-governmental org with an ocean-related mandate.

Component 2 will work towards enhancing national capacity and enabling conditions for improved management of marine resources and of particular relevance to the the work of the OCM, the activities under this component will work on advocacy for national intersectoral committee and work towards ensuring their connection to the OCM

Under C3, has a number of on-the ground activities supporting the implementation of a variety of actions by all sectors of society. Under C3, the project will support marine planning and conservation and will give continuity to a number of sustainable fisheries activities started under CLME and CLME+.

Finally, under C4, the project will aim at improving knowledge management and the data infrastructure to support the efforts to be made under the project and further enable the implementation of the CLME+ SAP. Here the OCM is meant to play a key role in the the development of the different outputs.

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								PARIS AGREEMENT (UNFCCC)
														UN Decades: Ocean Science for SD + Ecosystem Restoration
																Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
								UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (SDGs)
						SAMOA Pathway (SIDS)															post-SAMOA (SIDS)


						1st 10-year regional Strategic Action Programme (SAP)																	new (2nd) 10-year SAP

																				Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM)
										Interim Coordination Mechanism (ICM)

CLME Project							CLME+ Project											PROCARIBE+ Project

2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015		2016	2017		2018	2019	2020	2021	2022		2023		2024		2025	2026	2027	2028		2029	2030	…
					Towards the achievement of the long-term (~20 years) Vision articulated in the 1st SAP: “healthy marine ecosystems that support the well-being and livelihoods of the Peoples of the Region”																				→ → → → → → →

developed the

created the

will develop the

will be replaced by the

will financially support the operations of the

will support coordinated implementation of the

supported the implementation of the

wide-spread political endorsement of SAP enabled mobilization of funds from GEF for

SAP Action 3.3.

calls for the creation of an

c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n r e g i o n a l p r o c e s s e s a n d t h e g l o b a l a g e n d a s

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SG = Steering Group / EG = Executive Group

regional 10-year STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAMME “CLME+ SAP”(2015-2025),
STRATEGY 3: CROSS SECTORAL COORDINATION
Action 3.1	Action 3.2	Action 3.3	Action 3.3 (cont’d)
2017: Interim Coordination Mechanism (ICM) established Membership: 9 IGO’s (CARICOM, CCAD, CRFM, ECLAC, IOCARIBE, OECS, OSPESCA, UNEP CEP, WECAFC) 12 meetings to date	2015-17 evaluation of options for the “Ocean Coordination Mechanism” (OCM) 2017-21 regional negotiations on format, mandate, functions Proposed membership: countries (SG) + IGO’s (EG)	2020: agreement on key aspects of MOU October 2021: Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) MOU text approved GEF approved concept note for PROCARIBE+	2023: MOU opened for signature 2024: OCM to be operationalized, PROCARIBE+ $ support OCM supports development of new 10-year SAP
CLME+ (2015-2021)			PROCARIBE+ (2023-2028)

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THE OCEAN COORDINATION MECHANISM

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Enabling the Creation of a Coordination Mechanism

to Support Integrated Ocean Governance

in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems”

ANNOUNCEMENT

OFFICIAL OPENING FOR SIGNATURE: 6 OCTOBER 2023

CEREMONIAL OPENING AT THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT, ARUBA

*language reconciliation + validation (USA + UN Division of Conference Services, Nairobi) completed on 29 September 2023

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Aruba, 6 October 2023:

Ceremonial opening for signature of the OCM MOU

MOU signed by:

Aruba (Vice Prime Minister)
Curacao (Prime Minister)
The Netherlands (Minister for Nature

and Nitrogen)

OECS Commission (General Director)
CRFM (Executive Director)
OSPESCA (Regional Director)

Declaration of Intent by the Executive Secretary of the IOC of UNESCO 6Oct23

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5 December 2023

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Intergovernmental Organizations
ICM members
CARICOM Secretariat	CCAD	CRFM	FAO WECAFC	IOC of UNESCO (IOCARIBE)	OECS Commission	OSPESCA	UN ECLAC	UNEP CEP
others
ACS					UNDP

States & Territories
Antigua & Barbuda	Aruba	Bahamas	Barbados	Belize	Brazil	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Curacao	Dominica	Dominican Republic	France on behalf of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barth, Saint Martin	Grenada	Guatemala	Guyana
Haiti	Honduras	Jamaica	Mexico	Netherlands on behalf of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius	Nicaragua	Panama	St. Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia	Sint Maarten	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Suriname	Trinidad & Tobago	USA	UK on behalf of Anguila, BVI, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Isl	Venezuela

*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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on: www.clmeplus.org

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REMINDER:

ORIGINAL (WET) SIGNATURE PAGES TO BE SENT TO

AND KEPT ON RECORD

BY THE SECRETARIAT OF THE ICM

With the PROCARIBE+ PMCU exercising the role of ICM Secretariat,

the forthcoming 19-21 February PROCARIBE+ PSCM Meeting and subsequent ICM14 MEETING

in Cartagena, Colombia, may be an opportunity to deliver your original signature page

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regarding the Interim Mechanism

PROCARIBE+ Coordination Unit appointed as ICM Secretariat

ICM Secretariat = appointed as Custodian of OCM MOU and of Signatures thereto

ICM MOU + Addendum # 1: The MOU will remain in effect unless its termination is formally requested in writing by the majority of the Parties (i.e. min 5)

OCM MOU: When this MOU commences, Signatories that also participate in the ICM MOU are expected to discontinue cooperation under that MOU.

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Date:	14, 15 and 19 June 2021		7-8 September 2021	15 November 2023
ICM Meeting:	ICM11		ICM12	ICM13
Decision Ref.Nr.	ICM11D4.1	ICM11D4.6	ICM12D4.1	ICM13D4.1
Decision:	The ICM confirms the commitment of all ICM Members to become a part of the Coordination Mechanism.	The ICM requests ICM Members to urgently finalize their internal processes for successful clearance of the draft MoU and send any comments to the Secretariat no later than 31 July, 2021.	The ICM (a) recognizes the important efforts undertaken by several ICM members and ICM observers/ prospective coordination mechanism members in response to Decision ICM11D4.6 in which ICM Members were requested to urgently finalize their internal processes for successful (legal) clearance of the draft ocean coordination mechanism MoU by 31 July 2021; (b) highlights the critical importance of ensuring due participation of States and Territories in the (legal) review and clearance process.	The ICM (a) calls upon all ICM Members and Observers that have not yet signed the OCM MoU to urgently proceed with the signature of the MoU, as soon as possible, in order to allow for the prompt commencement of the OCM MoU (c) calls upon the ICM Members and Observers that may not yet have informed their constituents about the opening for signature of the MoU, to do so at their earliest convenience, and to provide guidance/refer their constituents to the ICM Secretariat for further guidance (d) Requests the ICM Members and Observers to support the efforts geared towards securing, within the shortest possible time frame, the signatures to the OCM MoU of the States and Territories listed in Annex 1 to the OCM MoU (e) Acknowledging that a delayed operationalization of the OCM will negatively impact on/jeopardize the timely delivery of those activities and outputs under the PROCARIBE+ Project Results Framework and potentially other regional projects that are expected to be guided, adopted and/or endorsed by the OCM, agrees that an alternative proposal/approach in which an interim leading role may need to be assigned to the ICM and/or, as appropriate, the PROCARIBE+ Project Steering Committee (PSC) until the OCM is fully operational.