One of the key outcomes of The Ocean Conference in June, 2017 will be a list of voluntary commitmentsfor the implementation of Goal 14, to be announced at the Conference.
At a special side event to the Ocean Conference Preparatory Meeting organized by UN DESA and the governments of Sweden and Fiji, the Ocean Conference Registry of Voluntary Commitments on SDG 14was launched by the Conference Secretariat (UN DESA). The event demonstrated the online registration process, including examples of a few voluntary commitments that have already been made by Sweden, Peace Boat/EcoShip and UN Environment.
An important contribution to the Ocean Conference is the urgent need for SDG14 action at all levels, from the smallest NGO/CSO to the largest country or company. The platform will permit real time analysis of submissions to examine trends, strengths and gaps related to action on SDG14 across geographies, targets and other criteria, which should in turn help inform additional action, cooperation and partnerships.
SDG14 voluntary commitments submitted through the platform should follow SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Resource based, and Time-based deliverables. Submissions should include description of the commitment, submitting entity/entities, partners, contact information, main deliverables, linkages to SDG 14 targets and other SDGs, and quantification (as appropriate).
Any entity/actor making a concrete and tangible commitment that supports implementation of one or more SDG14 targets may register commitment(s), including:
- Governments
- United Nations system
- Other intergovernmental organizations
- International financial institutions
- Non-governmental organizations
- Civil society organizations
- Academic institutions
- Scientific community
- Private sector
- Philanthropic organizations
- Other actors aiming to contribute to the implementation of SDG14
The global IW:LEARN community is invited to submit relevant SDG14 voluntary commitments athttps://oceanconference.un.org/commitments/
To be included in the final report of the Ocean Conference, voluntary commitments should be registered, or announced, by 9 June 2017.