Commonwealth Blue Charter

Below are all latest news articles and upcoming events related to Commonwealth Blue Charter.

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Antigua and Barbuda, UK sign maritime boundary agreement

The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the United Kingdom have signed a milestone agreement, marking a key step in defining Antigua and Barbuda’s maritime jurisdiction – one of the largest in the Eastern Caribbean - and advancing the development of its blue economy.

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Statement by Commonwealth Secretary-General on the latest IPCC climate report

Statement by The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth on the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released today

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Mapping mangrove ecosystems using satellite technology

Event

To mark the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July, the Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting a virtual event to showcase how powerful satellite technology can support the conservation and sustainable management of mangroves in the Commonwealth.

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It is possible to leverage ocean wealth, while protecting ocean health

The COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to reorient priorities and reset our relationship with the ocean. Emerging from the pandemic, a global ‘blue recovery’ should focus rebuilding equitable, resilient, and sustainable blue economies, protecting ocean health as we leverage ocean wealth.

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Barbados steps forward as Commonwealth co-champion for marine protected areas

Barbados has announced it is joining Seychelles to co-champion Commonwealth action on marine protected areas, a vital area in promoting ocean conservation and the sustainable blue economy.

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Commonwealth countries call for a “blue reset” in pandemic’s wake

Commonwealth member countries are supporting a call to “reset and rebuild” equitable, resilient ocean economies in the wake of the devastating impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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New funding database for ocean action

The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched an online database to help member countries be aware of and access more than US$170 million of international funding available for ocean-related projects.

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New policy handbook to help governments fight ocean acidification

A new policy handbook, launched today, will help Commonwealth governments put in place strategies to tackle ocean acidification - a key aspect of climate change.

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Hack the Planet competition seeks solutions to the world’s most pressing ocean challenges

To celebrate Earth Day on 22 April, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Satellite Applications Catapult are launching the first-ever Hack the Planet competition, in search of innovative, impactful and scalable ideas that will tackle the threats facing communities around the world, linked to ocean degradation and the climate crisis.

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Towards a ‘blue recovery’ in the Commonwealth

We have one interconnected ocean that sustains life on this planet. Yet it is under threat from a myriad of human pressures, such as climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing, with no holistic approach to tackle these.

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International Women’s Day 2021 – Sea the She: Recognising women’s contributions to ocean science

5 March 2021 to 5 March 2021

Event

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, the Commonwealth Secretariat will be celebrating women’s contributions to ocean science. Secretary General Baroness Scotland will introduce this special web event highlighting inspiring stories of women from across the Commonwealth who are challenging gender norms through their work in ocean industries.

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Robotic floats give hope for tackling ocean climate change

Close to 4,000 robotic devices deployed in oceans around the world will soon be upgraded to collect a wider range of vital data on ocean health – this will help researchers better understand the impacts of the climate crisis on ocean life and blue economies.

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Commonwealth joins forces with all-women sailing crew to fight plastic pollution

The Commonwealth Secretariat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with eXXpedition, a non-profit organisation that runs all-women sailing expeditions to research the causes of, and solutions to, marine plastic pollution.

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New Caribbean centre for oceanography, blue economy welcomed

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has welcomed plans to establish a new Centre of Excellence in Oceanography and the Blue Economy at the University of West Indies Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda.

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Maldives to co-champion action on coastal fisheries for Commonwealth

Maldives has stepped forward to co-champion the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Group on sustainable coastal fisheries alongside the current champion country, Kiribati.

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New study calls for gender equity in ocean science

A newly released report funded by the Government of Canada has called for better opportunities in ocean science for women and those who identify as non-binary, in order to achieve sustainable ocean governance.

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Antigua & Barbuda to co-champion blue economy action for the Commonwealth

The Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has stepped forward to co-champion the Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Group on the sustainable blue economy, alongside the current champion country, Kenya.

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Commonwealth Blue Charter joins the search for first Earthshot Prize winners

The Commonwealth Blue Charter, the Commonwealth’s flagship programme on ocean cooperation, has been invited to join a leading line-up of official nominators for the prestigious Earthshot Prize.

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Marine specialists welcome ‘rigorous’ training on ocean management

Ocean professionals are keen to apply new tools and lessons learned from specialised courses run by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

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Blue economy can only thrive with joined-up action, say experts

Countrywide policies that cut across all sectors are critical for the success of ocean-based economies in the Commonwealth.

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Webinar: The Blue View - Opportunities and Challenges for the Blue Economy

This webinar will provide an overview of the Blue Economy concept, including key opportunities and challenges for Commonwealth countries, and present successes and lessons learned from two Blue Charter case studies.

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Webinar reveals keys to aquaculture success

Specialists from around the world have outlined core factors for success and sustainability in the multi-billion dollar aquaculture sector.

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Experts share critical lessons on saving mangrove ecosystems

Mangroves are disappearing at an alarming rate, with conservationists across the Commonwealth striving to save them from local extinction.

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Blue Charter webinar explores ways to raise money for ocean protection

More than 180 participants from across the globe tuned in online to hear fresh insights on how to finance ocean protected areas in the Commonwealth. Held on July 22, the webinar was the second in a series organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, aimed at sharing ideas and solutions for ocean challenges.

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Summary: World Oceans Day: Mapping the Commonwealth one coral reef at a time

Celebrating World Oceans Day 2020, on 8 June, the Commonwealth Secretariat kicked off with the first Commonwealth Blue Charter webinar in its new series.

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