The Ocean Account | A pre-UNOC newsletter from the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership
The Ocean Account vol. 10 | May 2025

A note from GOAP's Co-Chairs

Dear GOAP friends and colleagues,

Welcome to 2025, a defining year for the ocean as we reach the halfway point for the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework together with the Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. The GOAP has had a busy start to the year, with members and partners working to elevate ocean accounts through key global events for the ocean. During workshops in Fiji, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Belize, countries outlined their national and regional priorities in the lead-up to the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) June and resumed negotiations for the global plastic treaty in August.

In this edition of the newsletter, you will find an overview of these events as well as upcoming events in 2025 and new knowledge products from the global community of practice.  

Over 100 global decision-makers, finance bodies and ocean accounting experts and practitioners met at the Ocean Accounts Exchange in Costa Rica (24-27 March) to design a strategy to advance ocean accounting in Costa Rica and globally by 2025. We commend the eight countries and one regional convention who formally signed The Joint Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030 and others who shared their support of this endeavour. This voluntary commitment recognises ocean accounting as a transformative tool for guiding sustainable development, ensuring that marine ecosystems and economies are valued, measured, and managed effectively. The Pledge was advanced by Costa Rica, as co-chair of (UNOC 3), and supported by the GOAP. 

Costa Rica will formally announce The Joint Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts at UNOC 3. There are several opportunities to sign the Pledge before and during UNOC 3 and we kindly invite all interested institutions or governments to please contact the GOAP Secretariat at info@oceanaccounts.org for more information.

We celebrate the adoption of the Ha Long Consensus on Ocean Accounting for Sustainable Development in South and Southeast Asia in March 2025. The Consensus reflects a shared regional commitment to integrate ocean accounts into national decision-making, recognising the ocean’s vital role in supporting economic prosperity, social well-being, and ecological resilience. After the first regional workshop in March 2025, we look forward to following the momentum through regular regional meetings, technical training and capacity building activities, and policy dialogues.  

New Expert Insights published this year include finance pieces on scaling finance for biodiversity and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), ensuring gender equity in climate and biodiversity finance and deep dives into the importance of data to assess the reality of global recycling and progress towards “zero waste” goals.  

Happy reading,    

Ocean accounts at UNOC 3

See our resources page for information on how ocean accounts will be featured at UNOC 3 and how the GOAP Secretariat and partners will be participating.

#OceanAccountsDay June 10

Ocean accounts will feature in the Blue Zone and Green Zones:

🗓️ UNOC Side Event (Blue Zone) | 10 June 2025 | 8:45–10:00 am GMT+2
Delivering on the 2030 Sustainable Ocean Economy: Pledge to Develop Ocean Accounts by 2030.

🗓️ Costa Rica Pavilion (Green Zone) | 10 June 2025 | 14:00 GMT+2
Workshop on Accounting for Our Ocean: Tools, Stories, and Commitments.

Read the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts
Ocean Accounts at UNOC 3 - Resources Page

Preparing for UNOC 3

Global leaders Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030 at Ocean Accounts Exchange in Costa Rica

Over 120 global decision-makers, finance bodies and ocean accounting experts and practitioners convened in Costa Rica to design a strategy to advance ocean accounting in Costa Rica and globally by 2025. To reflect growing recognition of ocean accounting as a transformative tool for guiding sustainable development, The Joint Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030 was developed.

Representatives from eight nations and one regional convention formally signed The Joint Pledge at the event including Costa Rica, Maldives,Canada, Antigua and Barbuda, Mexico, Fiji, Vietnam's Institute of Strategy, Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE), with Togo and the OSPAR Commission signing in absentia. Additionally, Panama, Ecuador, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Belmont Forum, delivered strong statements of support, further signalling ocean accounting as a fundamental tool for sustainable ocean governance. 

The Pledge remains open for signature during UNOC 3, providing an opportunity for more countries and institutions to align with this global effort. If your country of institution is interested in joining, please contact the GOAP Secretariat at info@oceanaccounts.org  

Thank you to organisers, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment and Energy, Costa Rican Council of Environmental Accounts, and the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership, with support from the UK government’s Blue Planet Fund. 
Learn more about the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts

Building a unified Pacific voice ahead of UNOC 3

4–6 February 2025 | Pacific Regional Technical Preparatory Workshop | Suva, Fiji 

In preparation for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), technical experts, government officials, and regional partners convened in Suva for a three-day workshop to refine Pacific priorities and inputs to global ocean forums. 

The workshop was co-convened by the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Centre for Sustainable Development Reform at UNSW, with support from the Embassy of France to Australia and funding from the UK Blue Planet Fund. 

Participants discussed a range of thematic priorities, from integrated ocean management and decarbonisation to traditional knowledge, deep-sea research, and sustainable finance. Sessions also explored opportunities to integrate ocean accounts into regional models for natural resource governance, as well as the importance of robust data systems to inform decision-making and track progress toward voluntary commitments. 

The outcomes of the technical meeting informed the Pacific Ocean Ministers’ Preparatory Meeting in April and helped shape the region’s unified approach to engagement at UNOC 3. 
 

10–11 April 2025 | Pacific Ocean Ministers’ Preparatory Meeting | Suva, Fiji 

Ministers and senior officials from across the Pacific met in Suva for the Pacific Ocean Ministers’ Preparatory Meeting to advance a coordinated regional approach to ocean governance and engagement ahead of UNOC 3. 

The meeting highlighted shared priorities, including the need to accelerate ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, scale up ocean finance, and strengthen engagement in global efforts to combat marine pollution. Officials also discussed opportunities to promote integrated ocean policies that reflect the interlinkages between climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development, in line with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. 

Ministers also reflected on priority areas for potential voluntary commitments to be showcased at UNOC 3, building on proposals developed during the February technical workshop. The meeting provided a space for dialogue to support a cohesive Pacific approach to international ocean engagement and reinforce regional cooperation on key ocean issues. 

Adoption of the Ha Long Consensus on Ocean Accounting for Sustainable Development in South and Southeast Asia

In March, governments and organisations in South and Southeast Asia developed and adopted the Ha Long Consensus, which reflects a shared regional commitment to integrate ocean accounts into national decision-making.

The Consensus was adopted during the regional workshop “Building Bridges and Creating Pathways” in Quang Ninh, Viet Nam from 3-4 March 2025. Over 80 experts, policymakers, and practitioners from South and Southeast Asia joined to discuss and highlight key opportunities for the region to strengthen ocean economy resiliency, including: 

  • Increased regional collaboration: The establishment of a South/Southeast Asian network of blue economy practitioners facilitates ongoing knowledge exchange and policy coordination. 

  • Financing sustainable development: The use of ocean accounts for sustainable finance mechanisms, including blue/green bonds and payments for ecosystem services, was explored to fund conservation efforts. 

  • Policy integration: Ocean accounts and integrated data frameworks were identified as tools to strengthen marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and policy coherence within and across sectors. 

  • Capacity building and technical support: Participants expressed the need for continued training and technical assistance to strengthen integrated ocean governance, including interdisciplinary tools for sustainable ocean planning and decision-making. 

Moving forward, continued engagement through biannual or regular meetings, technical training and capacity building activities, and policy dialogues will be crucial in ensuring the long-term adoption and implementation of ocean accounts and integrated data systems as foundation for sustainable blue economies.
View the Ha Long Consensus for Ocean Accounting

Project Highlights

Ecosystem accounts published for Ecuador’s Exclusive Economic Zone

GOAP Co-Chair, the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), in collaboration with Ecuador's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE), the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), and the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE), has released an innovative study detailing ecosystem accounts for Ecuador's Insular Exclusive Economic Zone (IEEZ).

The research underscores the significant role marine ecosystems play in supporting economic activities and mitigating climate change.

Ecuador’s ecosystems accounts will promote and guide the development of public policies aimed at the protection and conservation of our marine ecosystems. 

 
Read the Technical Report

Sri Lanka unites to discuss strategies for managing plastic pollution and transition to a more circular economy

3-4 April 2025 | National Forum on Plastics and Circular Economy: Driving Change Through Data | Colombo, Sri Lanka 

In an important step towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s response to the plastic crisis, over 100 representatives from over 25 organisations including government, NGOs and private industry, convened for the National Forum. Over two days, participants discussed Sri Lanka’s priorities for the upcoming resumed treaty negotiations (INC-5.2) and beyond. 

The Interactive Workshop on Data Collection from Plastics Projects held on the second day, united over 100 representatives from over 25 organisations who are leading, supporting or funding plastic projects across Sri Lanka. The activities and knowledge shared during this workshop will contribute to a national plastics data system, which is currently being developed with support from the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform. 

The Forum was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and National Solid Waste Management Support Centre (NSWMSC) with support from the UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform and Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP) with funding from the UK Blue Planet Fund. 

Introducing the Ocean Accounts Research Fellows!

The Ocean Accounts Fellows Program is an interdisciplinary initiative that brings together over 18 practitioners from Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean with the aim of enhancing sustainable ocean development, ocean governance and coastal resilience through innovative research. With supervision provided by the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP), the program encompasses a diverse range of projects. 

Each fellow, whether engaged in government, academia, or on-the-ground research, contributes to a collective goal of fostering sustainable marine resource management, promoting economic growth, and preserving environmental integrity through informed policy and legal frameworks. 
Meet the Fellows

Upcoming events

9-13 June | 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) | Nice, France 
As the GOAP Secretariat prepares for UNOC 3, we will be working with GOAP Members and partners to ensure ocean accounts are recognised as an essential tool to accelerate the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources. GOAP Secretariat Directors and team will be present in Nice and are open to meeting with any countries or institutions interested in learning more about ocean accounts. If interested, please contact info@oceanaccounts.org. To learn more about ocean accounts at UNOC 3, see the resources page here.

23-27 June | 11th Ecosystem Services Partnership World Conference (ESP11) | Darwin, Australia 
During the session "An overview of the rapidly emerging field of Ocean Accounting: extending international standards towards the social and equitable valuation of ocean ecosystem services", the GOAP will be showcasing case study examples of ocean accounting for sustainable ocean development around the world. For questions, please contact session Chair, Dr Jordan Gacutan (j.gacutan@unsw.edu.au). 

Recent events

12 - 13 February 2025 | Policy Direction of Ocean Accounts Indonesia: Roadmap for Ocean Accounts Towards Blue Food Security and Sustainable Ocean Economy | Jakarta, Indonesia 
The meeting brought together 139 people across relevant organizations to conduct a focused group discussion on the path forward for Ocean Accounting in Indonesia. The discussions emphasized the critical role of data-driven decision-making, collaborative governance and contributed to the implementation of the National Sustainable Development of the Oceans (NSDL) framework, reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to marine conservation, climate resilience, and blue economic growth.  

12-13 March 2025 | 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo | Tokyo, Japan  
This year's Summit, held in Tokyo, Japan, focused on the transition to a sustainable ocean economy, ocean stewardship, strategies to restore ocean health, advancements in marine technology and collaborative efforts to address ocean pollution. One theme that emerged from the Summit was clear, according to the GOAP Secretariat team in attendance, mobilising capital to support ocean conservation while addressing development needs and capitalising on the estimated $3 trillion economic potential of the sustainable blue economy. The team share their reflections in their latest expert insight here. 

During the panel, Ocean-climate solutions and the way forward’, GOAP Secretariat Director, Eliza Northrop underscored the importance of the ocean economy to achieve global targets to limit climate change. Eliza spoke as co-author of the Ocean Panel report “The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change - Updated Opportunities for Action”. 

3-4 March 2025 | Regional Workshop on Ocean Accounts – Building Bridges and Creating Pathways | Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam 
More information about ocean accounting in Viet Nam can be found on the project page here. 

24-27 March 2025 | Ocean Accounts Exchange - “Building a Blueprint for Action” | San Jose, Costa Rica 
See details in the highlights above.  

3-4 April 2025 | National Forum on Plastics and Circular Economy: Driving Change Through Data | Colombo, Sri Lanka 
In an important step towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s response to the plastic crisis, over 100 representatives from over 25 organisations including government, NGOs and private industry, convened for the National Forum. Over two days, participants discussed Sri Lanka’s priorities for the upcoming resumed treaty negotiations (INC-5.2) and beyond. See more information in the highlight above. 

28-30 April | 10th Our Ocean Conference 10 (OOC-10) | Busan, South Korea 
Themed, ‘Our Ocean, Our Action', this year’s conference will promote global actions for a sustainable ocean. This year, discussions will focus on 'Digital Oceans': a concept that combines the ocean industry and digital technology, serving as an implementation tool to achieve a sustainable ocean swiftly and systematically. Ocean accounts could provide a valuable tool to compile, structure and manage the data collected from digital technology. GOAP Secretariat Director Dr Phil James spoke at side events on social accounting and ocean economies.

New Knowledge Products

Webinar. Ocean Accounts as a Foundation for Climate Action: From Commitments to Implementation

Ahead of the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue (at Bonn Climate Change Conference) in June, experts from the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP), UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR) and UNFCCC Secretariat (UN Climate Change) provided an update on how the ocean is being integrated into the latest round of NDCs and how ocean accounts can provide a foundation for implementation of these new targets and policies in the coming years.

Watch the recording here.

Webinar. The Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts: preparing for UNOC 3

Co-Chair of UNOC3, Costa Rica is leading an initiative, which encourages countries to agree to strengthen the role of ocean data and ocean accounting in governance and decision-making: the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030.

The Pledge is an invitation from Costa Rica for like-minded countries and organisations to join a global movement to advance ocean accounts at their own pace, in ways that align with their national priorities.

This webinar introduces the Pledge for Ocean Accounts, includes country perspectives on why the Pledge is important for global sustainable ocean development and outlines how your country or organisation can sign before or during UNOC 3.

Watch the recording here.

Policy brief: Financing to Secure a Sustainable Future for Marine Protected Areas 

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are at the forefront of ocean conservation, safeguarding critical marine ecosystems, supporting coastal communities worldwide and enabling countries to deliver on their commitment to 30x30 under the Global Biodiversity Framework.  

Finance expert Arlette Schramm unpacks why financing for MPAs is crucial to their success and make recommendations for MPA managers, national governments, financial institutions or donors and the international community interested in establishing, managing or supporting MPAs. 
 
Read the expert insight here.

The Vital Role of Data in Inclusion, Equity, and Justice in Coastal Communities  

As the impact of climate change intensifies, coastal communities face growing disparities in access to resources, health care and food security, among others. The hidden inequality in these regions often remains invisible without proper data collection and analysis. Social science experts unpack how data can be a powerful catalyst for promoting inclusion, equity, and justice in coastal communities.

Read the insight by social science experts Dr Phil James and Dr Rebecca Shellock here.

The importance of Social Accounts on the pathway towards Ocean Equity

Social accounts are an integral part of ocean accounting, providing a critical link between the environment, the economy, and the well-being of communities. By incorporating social, cultural, and equity considerations, ocean accounts can contribute to more informed, equitable, and sustainable ocean management. However, challenges remain in fully integrating social accounts into ocean accounting. 

It is imperative that the global community commit to developing these accounts alongside the Environmental Accounting tables and momentum is increased across the whole of the accounting community.  
 
Read the expert insight here.

The Vital Role of Data in Inclusion, Equity, and Justice in Coastal Communities  

As South Korea becomes the 21st nation to ratify the BBNJ Agreement, we examine the current status and potential of the BBNJ treaty, and the necessary steps to bring it into force in 2025.

Read the insight by experts Eliza Northrop and Liz Hollaway here.

Submit your news 

If you have any updates you would like to share through this newsletter, please get in touch with the GOAP Secretariat and we will include your items in the next edition. Please send your submissions of 250 words, plus any relevant links by 10 June 2025, to be included in Vol. 11. 
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