Advancing the Caribbean 30×30 Vision for the Ocean at COP16

On the sidelines of the 16th meeting of the United Nations Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, six Caribbean nations—Belize, Barbados, the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and St. Kitts and Nevis—recommitted to advancing biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean region at the “Actioning the Blue: A Caribbean 30×30 Vision for the Ocean” event on October 30, 2024. COP16’s thematic focus on "Peace with Nature" emphasised delivering an action agenda.

The event highlighted the important role of collective Caribbean political will in delivering urgent and effective ocean protection in the Caribbean region. Ministers agreed that advancing a shared and transformative “Caribbean 30x30 Vision,” delivered through a practical roadmap to achieve ambitious ocean conservation goals by 2030, is a solid next step for the region. This 30x30 vision aligns with COP16’s “action agenda” and the Caribbean’s historic ambition for conservation, as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and an advocate for the rights of indigenous and local communities as guardians of nature.

At the Actioning Blue event, Hon. Cozier Frederick, Minister of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment, and Constituency Empowerment from the Commonwealth of Dominica, reiterated the important role of governments in catalysing action on COP16’s Global Biodiversity Framework, stating:

“We have to have this collective vision … What we are doing here in terms of keeping that marine space intact is something that needs to be expanded … We need the financial support and institutions [to] inform us of what we do … We do share a common space, and it appears to us that we’re the last frontier and we have to safeguard it for future generations.”

Several Caribbean islands have made progress toward the 30x30 goal, part of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which calls for 30% protection of land and sea by 2030. Notably, the Government of the Dominican Republic has achieved 30% protection of its marine resources six years ahead of the target. Hon. José Ramón Reyes Lopes, Vice-Minister of Coastal and Marine Resources in the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, shared at the event that the Dominican Republic remains steadfast in its commitment to conserving and protecting the marine environment and supporting the region in achieving the same.

Two other Caribbean nations have also made significant strides in advancing COP16’s mandate on biodiversity action. Belize’s Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Hon. Orlando Habet, noted that they expect to meet the milestone of 30% of ocean space protected by 2026, underscoring the value of financial innovations such as their Blue Bonds. Additionally, Hon. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action, and Constituency Empowerment in St. Kitts and Nevis, highlighted that St. Kitts and Nevis has secured 24% terrestrial protection and is working toward advancing marine protection.

Caribbean Small Island Developing States are home to some of the richest biodiversity ecosystems, but they require financing and technical resources to guide science-informed policy and effective and sustainable biodiversity management. This is essential to foster nature-positive livelihoods that can ensure the health of the lands and oceans for future generations. Ms. Shemere Lawes, Caribbean Youth Representative from Jamaica, urged governments and regional partners to prioritise the 30x30 vision, noting, “When governments put marine biodiversity and climate resilience at the core of policy decisions, they shape a future where targets transform into real impact on the ground.” Barbados’s Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Hon. Adrian Forde, referenced his government’s emphasis on technology for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted their success in negotiating innovative financial mechanisms, such as the debt-for-nature swap.

Catalysing ambition and action for marine protection is not a new concept for the Caribbean. The Government of Grenada has led regional coordination efforts on marine conservation, having spearheaded the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) in partnership with the Government of the British Virgin Islands and strategic partners like The Nature Conservancy, Virgin Unite, and the Tiffany Foundation, which by 2020 had expanded nearly 50,000 km² of new protections in the Caribbean region. Ms. Safiya Sawney, Special Advisor to Hon. Kerryne James, Minister of Climate Resilience, Environment and Renewable Energy, and Special Envoy and Ambassador for Climate shared that the CCI’s 20x20 goal enabled Grenada to establish institutions like the Grenada Sustainable Trust Fund, policies, legislation, and strategic frameworks that expanded MPA protections to critical ecosystems like coral reefs, which support livelihoods, job creation, and a strengthened connection between Grenadians and their ocean. Ms. Sawney reiterated Grenada’s leadership, aligned with COP16’s mandate, stating:

“The Government of Grenada lends our support towards the development of a vision and a declaration for the Caribbean on 30x30 that considers ambitious, targeted, and effective national protection, including areas beyond jurisdiction that also require protection.”

In closing the event, Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change from the Republic of Sierra Leone and co-lead of the newly launched Ministerial Alliance for Ambition for Nature Finance (MAANF), emphasised the strength of unified and cross-regional platforms, urging Caribbean leaders to consider the value of the Alliance, which enables like-minded ministers to speak with one voice in calling on the international community and the developed world to deliver on financing for biodiversity, aiming for a $20 billion per year commitment to developing countries and small island developing states by 2025.

The event concluded with an interactive dialogue on financing, “Financing Blue,” between donors, implementing agencies, and regional organizations, including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), whose efforts drive progress in ocean health and biodiversity in the Caribbean and globally. The discussion centered on exploring gaps, challenges, opportunities, priorities, and needs to improve access to financing, especially focusing on how Caribbean SIDS can more effectively leverage the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The “Actioning the Blue” event underscored the commitment of Caribbean governments, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), OECS, the Blue Nature Alliance, Conservation International, McKinsey & Company, and key partners to amplify the Caribbean region's role in global ocean conservation and sustainable financing while ensuring that the unique needs and opportunities of the region are recognized internationally.

Building on the momentum at COP16, the meeting highlighted ongoing work towards a formal declaration at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025, with the aim of triggering the announcement of new and additional financing commitments to action the KMGBF within the Caribbean region.