During the 16th United Nations Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), Caribbean nations united to advance their shared vision for ocean conservation with the announcement of the “Caribbean 30×30 Vision for the Ocean.”
The event, titled Actioning the Blue, brought together representatives from Belize, Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis with other nations, who reaffirmed their commitment to protecting 30 percent of their marine and terrestrial ecosystems by 2030.
This bold initiative, which forms part of Target 3 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), aligns with the overarching theme of COP16, “Peace with Nature”, aiming to achieve a comprehensive and practical blueprint for ocean conservation. The Caribbean, widely recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, is at the forefront of global efforts to safeguard marine and terrestrial life.
Ministers and high-level officials from the Caribbean underscored the need for collective action and strong political will to achieve the 30×30 target, emphasising the importance of collaboration between governments, local communities, and the private sector. They also recognised the role of Indigenous and local communities in protecting the region’s rich biodiversity, highlighting their crucial position as custodians of nature.
In his remarks, the Minister of Environment from Dominica, Cozier Frederick, stressed the critical need for governments to take the lead in advancing the Global Biodiversity Framework.
“A shared vision is vital to success,” he said, adding that expanded marine protections, along with financial support and institutional guidance, are essential to preserving the Caribbean’s precious marine spaces for future generations.
Several nations have already made significant strides towards the 30×30 goal. The Dominican Republic, for instance, achieved the 30 percent target for marine protection six years ahead of schedule. Vice-Minister José Ramón Reyes Lopes highlighted the country’s ongoing commitment to marine conservation, reinforcing its position as a regional leader in biodiversity protection.
Similarly, Belize is on track to meet its 30 percent goal by 2026, with Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Orlando Habet, emphasising the importance of innovative financing mechanisms such as Blue Bonds to fund these vital conservation efforts.
St. Kitts and Nevis, which has already protected 24 percent of its terrestrial areas, is actively enhancing its marine conservation initiatives. As a small island developing state, the country, along with its Caribbean peers, calls for increased financial and technical support to ensure effective biodiversity management.
The event also featured the voice of youth advocate Shemere Lawes from Jamaica, who urged Caribbean governments to prioritise marine biodiversity and climate resilience in policymaking. “We must place our oceans and climate at the core of our future decisions,” Lawes stated, calling for governments to continue advocating for the 30×30 vision.
Barbados was also acknowledged for its innovative use of technology in supporting sustainable development goals. Minister Adrian Forde highlighted the country’s success in leveraging financial strategies, including a debt-for-nature swap, to support its conservation efforts.
Grenada’s role in regional coordination was recognised through its leadership in the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI), which has significantly expanded marine protected areas across the region. Safiya Sawney, Special Advisor to Grenada’s Minister of Climate Resilience, emphasised the need for a unified vision to protect marine areas beyond national jurisdictions.
The event concluded with a call to action for international financial support, with Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change from Sierra Leone, urging global donors to commit $20 billion annually by 2025 for biodiversity financing. This commitment would help developing countries, including Caribbean Small Island Developing States, overcome resource gaps and accelerate the implementation of biodiversity goals.
As a culmination of the discussions, the Caribbean governments, along with their key partners, pledged to formalise a declaration at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025. The aim is to secure additional financial commitments and foster global support for the region’s ambitious biodiversity and conservation agenda.
The Actioning the Blue event has not only underscored the Caribbean’s leadership in ocean conservation but also highlighted the collective power of regional cooperation in safeguarding the oceans for future generations.
St. Kitts and Nevis was represented at 30th October’s COP16 by Federal Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Senator Dr. Joyelle Clarke.
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