First-Ever Island States Ocean Summit Held with 300 Leaders and Ministers from 30 Countries

The Nippon Foundation (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Chairman Takeju Ogata), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), will host the 'Island States Ocean Summit.' Approximately 300 participants, including heads of state, ministerial-level officials, and UN agencies from 30 countries (as of May 13), primarily island nations in the Pacific, Caribbean, and Indian Oceans, are expected to attend (attendance by invitation only).

There is a global demand, particularly from island nations, for a forum to discuss issues such as sea-level rise due to climate change, marine pollution, and marine resource management. However, it has been pointed out that existing conferences, such as the 'Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference' hosted by the UN with heads of state, cover a broad range of themes, leading to a lack of opportunities for concrete policy-making discussions on ocean-related issues. This summit is being held on an unprecedented scale (according to IOC research) as an international conference focused specifically on oceans and island nations.

During the summit, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau will serve as co-chair, among others. The conference aims to share the urgent challenges faced by island nations and to formulate national-level plans (Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management - SOPM) that balance marine environmental conservation with sustainable utilization of marine resources. The outcomes compiled at this summit will be reflected in discussions at upcoming international conferences.

↑Link: https://islandoceansummit.org/

Overview (Background and Aim)

Island nations, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are considered to be the most affected by global warming, and it is urgent for them to acquire the national capacity to flexibly respond to unprecedented environmental changes. This summit is the first international conference focused on oceans and island nations, seeking support that leads to the self-reliance of SIDS. In collaboration with leaders from industry, government, and academia in the marine world, the goal is to formulate a new action plan to maximize the sustainable utilization of their ocean resources while preserving them. The co-chairs leading this initiative are President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau, Dr. Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chairman of The Nippon Foundation. On the final day, new initiatives to achieve global transformation = innovation will be announced. The outcomes of this summit will be reflected in global discussions on the environment, including the Convention on Biological Diversity COP17 in October and the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP31 in November, through IOC-UNESCO. This Japan-led initiative will significantly contribute to supporting island nations worldwide.

About The Nippon Foundation and Island Nations

For many years, The Nippon Foundation has supported island nations worldwide, focusing on Pacific island nations, which are important partners for Japan's economic security. In 1989, the 'Sasakawa Island Nations Fund' (now the 'Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund') was established. In cooperation with related organizations, it has provided small vessels and patrol boats to Pacific island nations and has actively worked to develop human resources to support the politics and economy of island nations in a wide range of maritime and marine science fields.

Co-hosting with IOC-UNESCO*

Policies and measures based on scientific knowledge are indispensable for solving various ocean issues, building a sustainable ocean economy, and managing marine resources. The Nippon Foundation, in partnership with IOC, which leads the international initiative 'UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)' that emphasizes scientific knowledge, data, and information, and sets goals and challenges for the desired state of the ocean, is holding this conference to promote the formulation of highly effective plans by island nations worldwide, aiming to achieve SDG 14 'Life Below Water.'

*IOC-UNESCO is a UN agency established in 1960 with the aim of promoting scientific research that contributes to the acquisition and understanding of ocean knowledge through international cooperation. It conducts global intergovernmental cooperation, planning, and coordination in marine science.

About Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM)

This is an approach to scientifically understand a nation's marine resources and achieve sustainable economic activities. By systematically planning activities such as fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy development, which are directly linked to national strength, the aim is to balance marine conservation with sustainable utilization and enhance resilience to climate change. This conference aims to support the formulation of sustainable ocean plans by island nations worldwide.

About The Nippon Foundation https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/

Sharing pain, hope, and the future.

The Nippon Foundation, established in 1962, is Japan's largest foundation.