About FAO News Multimedia Main topics Statistics Members Publications

Common Oceans Program

Partners

Partnership is essential to achieve the Common Oceans Program’s objectives and contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Common Oceans Program is a global partnership funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Led by FAO, the Program brings together the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as regional fisheries management organizations, national governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, civil society and academia.

By working together, the partnership will maximize its impact and keep the oceans healthy through sustainable management of marine resources and biodiversity conservation in the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Tuna fisheries

In collaboration with: Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), BirdLife International (BLI), Conservation International (CI), INFOPESCA, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF/ISSA), International MCS Network (IMCSN), International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), International Whaling Commission (IWC), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), PEW Charitable Trusts, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Ocean Foundation (TOF), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Deep-sea fisheries
Sargasso Sea
Cross-sectoral cooperation
Comisión Permanente del Pacífico Sur - CPPS
Global Ocean Forum
GRID-Arendal
The University of the South Pacific - USP
Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner - OPOC
UN environment programme WCMC
Universidad Católica del Norte - Chile

This Program brings together a unique partnership that will help to bolster marine biodiversity and contribute to aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework."

Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General

In close alignment with the Ocean Decade, the Common Oceans Program will allow for a science-led stewardship approach for the Sargasso Sea to be developed - which we hope will inform how similar initiatives can be implemented in other high seas systems."

Andrew Hudson, Head of the Water and Ocean Governance Programme, UNDP