Collaborative story by: Tyrell Gittens, Fabian Kyne, Tanja Lieuw, and Alexander Girvan
The Caribbean strengthened its collective commitment to ocean conservation at the 11th Our Oceans Conference in Mombassa, Kenya, with Jamaica the latest signatory to the Actioning Blue: The Caribbean 30×30 Vision and Roadmap for Our Ocean. Jamaica also joined Barbados as one of the newest signatories to the Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM).
Both agreements were signed during the conference, held from June 16 to 18, 2026, signalling growing regional momentum to strengthen ocean governance, protect the Caribbean Sea, and advance sustainable ocean development.
Together, the Actioning Blue Roadmap and OCM provide complementary frameworks that strengthen regional leadership, align national priorities, and accelerate progress toward global ocean and biodiversity commitments.
Actioning Blue: A Regional Blueprint for Ocean Conservation
Led by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), in partnership with the Government of Grenada, Caribbean governments, and regional partners, the Actioning Blue roadmap was launched at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, in 2025. The Caribbean-led political declaration provides a shared framework for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which calls for the effective conservation and management of at least 30 percent of marine and coastal areas by 2030.
Building on the legacy of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative and endorsed by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Roadmap has now been adopted by 15 Caribbean governments and supported by more than 15 regional and international organizations.
Jamaica signed the Roadmap during a high-level reception co-hosted by the CBF, Government of Jamaica, the OCM, and regional partners on June 18, the final day of the conference.
Dr. Fabian Kyne, Lead of the CBF’s Enhancing Marine Protected Area Activities for the Caribbean (EMPAC) Project, welcomed Jamaica’s accession to the Roadmap as another important step towards strengthening regional cooperation.
“Jamaica joining the 14 Caribbean governments including the full membership of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and more than 15 organisations already committed marks an important milestone and reflects a shared regional ambition to protect and sustainably manage the Caribbean Sea.
“The Roadmap provides a common framework for implementing the global 30×30 target through coordinated action, stronger marine governance, and sustainable financing.
“Our work to expand participation continues, as every new signatory strengthens the Caribbean’s collective voice, enhances our ability to mobilize resources and partnerships, and positions the region as a global leader in ocean stewardship.”
By signing the Roadmap, governments commit to a shared regional vision of effectively conserving and sustainably managing at least 30 percent of the Caribbean’s marine and coastal ecosystems by 2030. Signatories also commit to strengthening political leadership, enhancing regional cooperation, and advancing innovative, long-term financing for marine conservation.
Dr. Kyne also noted that the CBF will continue supporting participating governments through regional coordination, technical assistance, and resource mobilisation, including through the High-Level Policy Working Group and the newly established Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Finance Facility (MPAFF), which aims to mobilise US$250 million in sustainable financing for marine conservation.
“Together, these mechanisms will help translate political commitments into practical, coordinated action that delivers lasting benefits for both people and nature.”
Ocean Coordination Mechanism Expands to 23 Signatories
Supported through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) PROCARIBE+ project (2023-2028), the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism strengthens cooperation among countries and organisations to protect shared marine and coastal ecosystems.
Through its Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), the OCM promotes ecosystem-based management by helping countries move beyond fragmented approaches to ocean governance and adopt coordinated, collaborative solutions to shared challenges.
Barbados and Jamaica became 21st and 22nd signatories to the OCM during the conference at the official side event, “Raising Ambition and Financing in the Wider Caribbean: Advancing the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism and the Actioning Blue 30×30 Roadmap“.
The event was co-hosted by the Governments of Jamaica, Grenada, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica; the CARICOM Secretariat, the OECS Secretariat, the Ocean Coordination Mechanism, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, and regional partners.
Following the conference, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became the 23rd signatory on June 26, 2026.
Alexander Girvan, Senior Project Officer of the UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Coordination Unit at the Secretariat of the Wider Caribbean Ocean Coordination Mechanism in Cartagena, Colombia, said the expanding membership strengthens the region’s ability to implement ecosystem-based management.
“More countries participating increases the likelihood of achieving the long-term vision of healthy marine ecosystems that are adequately valued and protected through robust, integrative and inclusive governance arrangements”
He added that broader participation will strengthen regional collaboration on sustainable fisheries, pollution control, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable management of the Caribbean’s shared natural capital.
Jamaica Looks Ahead
As Jamaica joins both the Actioning Blue Roadmap and the OCM, and prepares to host the 13th Our Oceans Conference in 2029, Minister of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Matthew Samuda, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to accelerating regional ocean action.
Speaking during the June 18th high-level reception, Minister Samuda highlighted the entry into force of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement in January 2026 and the global momentum behind achieving the 30×30 target.
“The problem is that challenges are so grave that we need to make progress much faster.
“As they often say, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. But because of the scale of the challenge, we need to go fast together.
“Jamaica has made it very clear at this conference that we will work with every task force and every group mobilising.”
Minister Samuda emphasised that signing regional agreements is only the beginning and that success will depend on translating political commitments into measurable action. While acknowledging the financial and capacity challenges facing many Caribbean countries, he expressed confidence that stronger regional cooperation would deliver lasting results.
“With this political will, coordinating mechanism, and high-level push for genuine ocean action, I believe we will see significant positive change in the management, data sharing, shared academic experience and, the modernisation of our collective policy and regulatory frameworks. Together these efforts will no doubt ensure we not only have a healthy ocean, but ultimately a wealthy ocean.”
The growing number of signatories to both the Actioning Blue Roadmap and the Ocean Coordination Mechanism reflects increasing regional momentum behind a shared vision: a healthier, more resilient Caribbean Sea supported by stronger partnerships, coordinated governance, and sustainable long-term financing.
