The Wider Caribbean (and beyond): United in Action from Analysis to Decision-Making to Implementation; convened by the Secretariat of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism and contributing partners.
The first Regional Partnership Forum “Our Sea – Our Source – Our Future: The Wider Caribbean (and beyond): United in Action” will take place in Cartagena, Colombia, alongside the 78th Conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI78). The Forum marks a key milestone for advancing ocean governance and sustainable development across the Wider Caribbean region and adjacent seas.
This Forum comes at a pivotal moment following the launch of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) in December 2024: a regional, multi-stakeholder platform created to enhance cooperation, dialogue, and joint action for healthy marine and coastal ecosystems and sustainable blue economies.
Objectives
The Forum will bring together governments, intergovernmental organizations, and a wide range of ocean stakeholders to:
Raise awareness of the OCM, its mandate, and its 2025–2028 Work Programme.
Present the outcomes of the first joint meeting of the OCM Working Groups (29 October), including draft roadmaps for:
A regional Marine Data and Information Infrastructure (MDII).
An integrated “State of the Marine Environment and Socio-Economics” (SOMEE) reporting mechanism.
A new, holistic regional “Oceans” Strategic Action Programme (SAP).
Exchange experiences, best practices, and opportunities for collaboration.
Mobilize collective support for implementing the OCM Work Programme.
Key Themes
Discussions will center on strengthening regional coordination, promoting integrated ocean governance, and aligning efforts with global frameworks such as:
SDG 14 – Life Below Water and related climate and biodiversity goals.
The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The UN Decade of Ocean Science and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Commitments under the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols.
IW:LEARN’s Role
The Forum is being co-organized by GEF IW:LEARN together with regional partners including UNEP, UNDP, IOC of UNESCO, CAF, FAO, GCFI, and others. It forms part of IW:LEARN’s ongoing efforts to promote Regional Ocean Governance Dialogues, strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration, and support knowledge exchange for sustainable ocean management.
The event will serve as a platform to connect ongoing regional initiatives,including PROCARIBE+, BE CLME+, and the Gulf of Mexico and Pacífico Sostenible projects, and to shape a unified, transformative ocean agenda for the Wider Caribbean.