CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC -The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Tuesday said it would join with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) to present a coordinated regional response that links political commitment with financing and results at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) to be held in France from June 9–13.
In a statement, the St. Lucia-based OECS Commission notes that for Caribbean people, the Ocean is more than a resource, saying, “It is central to our identity, our food systems, our economies, and our way of life.
“It sustains cultures, drives livelihoods, and links generations through shared history and stewardship. Yet, the Caribbean Sea faces mounting threats. Climate change, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and overexploitation are intensifying, jeopardizing both ecosystems and communities.”
The Commission stated that these challenges transcend borders, demanding unified, science-based action from governments working together.
It stated that the conference in Nice, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, will bring global leaders together under the theme “Scaling up Ocean Action Based on Science and Innovation for the Implementation of Goal 14: An Ocean for Sustainable Development.”
The Commission said Caribbean governments are demonstrating that regional cooperation is key to protecting 30 percent of marine and coastal areas by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
At the center of their engagement at UNOC3 is the global launch of the Actioning Blue: Caribbean 30×30 Vision for the Ocean, a political declaration developed by a High-Level Policy Working Group and endorsed at the recent OECS Council of Ministers for Environmental Sustainability (COMES 12) held in Antigua and Barbuda.
This initiative strengthens intergovernmental coordination through a newly formed Ocean Coordination Mechanism, hosted by the government of Grenada and supported by 18 countries and nine intergovernmental organizations.
The Commission said these political and technical frameworks reflect a growing movement to build collective capacity, align national efforts, and scale science-based implementation across borders.
“To drive action beyond declarations, the Caribbean is also pioneering innovative financing through the Caribbean Sustainable Finance Architecture, coordinated by the CBF. Through this mechanism and others, over US$33 million has been deployed, not simply to fund projects, but to deliver long-term results that are aligned to the 30×30 Vision for the Ocean, to ensure that both the region’s people and nature thrive,” the Commission said.
It stated that this financing has enabled the expansion of marine protected areas, strengthened biodiversity conservation policies, and facilitated the implementation of locally led climate adaptation efforts in 12 countries.
“By aligning financial flows with national and regional goals, this approach is helping Caribbean states deliver on international targets while empowering communities.”
The Commission stated that the Caribbean delegation will participate in several high-level sessions during UNOC3, which reflect the conference’s core pillars: science-based decision-making, innovative partnerships, and scaled financing.
These events, including the global launch of Actioning Blue and panels on ocean coordination and sustainable finance, are not standalone moments but part of a strategic effort to catalyze commitments, amplify Caribbean leadership, and secure investment in ocean health.
“As the global community works to secure a healthy, resilient ocean, Caribbean nations will be at the table united, prepared, and speaking with one voice,” the OECS Commission added.
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