The 7th Our Ocean Conference will be held in Palau on April 13-14, 2022. The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF), with the support of the Nippon Foundation, has been working with the Government of Palau since 2020 to prepare for the conference.

In conjunction with the Our Ocean Conference, we will also hold ocean-related meetings with government officials and others who will come to Palau. Details of each event are as follows. Some events will be held online, so please join us.

* Time zone: PWT (UTC+9)

◆Pacific Island Blue Economy Roundtable (closed to the public)
Monday, April 11, 2022, 10:00 - 15:00
Organizers: OPRI-SPF, Republic of Palau
Location: Ngarachamayong Cultural Center

In Pacific island countries, the creation of market value for seafood and other products has stagnated due to the effects of prolonged pandemics, and the future challenge is socioeconomic development and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. Given this situation, this meeting will hold high-level discussions among stakeholders for regional cooperation and international collaboration to promote blue recovery and blue economy in Pacific island countries.
 

◆Small Island Developing States Global Business Network Forum 2022
Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 8:30am-5:00pm
Organizers: Republic of Palau, United Nations Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)
Collaborator: OPRI-SPF
Location: Ngarachamayong Cultural Center

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) urgently need to build stronger partnerships among various stakeholders, including the private sector as well as public institutions, in order to promote the development of sustainable marine economies and realize the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway. In this context, this forum will focus on the private sector stakeholders and discuss how to promote the understanding of useful information and knowledge for various initiatives and capacity building through the introduction and sharing of business models and best practices by the private sector.

It is also available online. Please click here for the registration.

◆Day 1 of Plenary Session of Our Oceans Conference (OOC) 2022

Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Confronting the Ocean-Climate Crisis, Advancing Sustainable Fisheries, and Creating Sustainable Blue Economies Three breakout panels, VIP Address, etc.
Organizer: Republic of Palau
Location: Palau National Gymnasium
*The plenary session will also be available online. Viewing instructions will be available on the Our Ocean2022 website including the program and speakers at a later date.

Discussions will be held to promote the building of international partnerships for sustainable oceans to solve marine pollution and other marine problems, including climate change measures, sustainable fisheries, and building a sustainable blue economy.
Dr. Hide Sakaguchi, Executive Director of the Foundation and Director of the Institute, will be speaking at Creating Sustainable Blue Economies.

◆Day 2 of the Our Oceans Conference (OOC) 2022 Plenary Session

Thursday, April 14, 2022
Advancing Marine Protected Areas for Communities, Ecosystems, and Climate, Achieving a Safe and Secure Ocean, and Tackling Marine Pollution, VIP Address, etc.
Organizer: Republic of Palau
Location: Palau National Gymnasium
*The plenary session will also be available online. Viewing instructions will be available on the Our Ocean2022 website including the program and speakers at a later date.

Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, senior researcher fellow of OPRI-SPF, will moderate the session on Achieving a Safe and Secure Ocean.

◆Side Event Thursday, April 14, 2022, 8:30-9:30

• “Sustainable Ocean Planning: A Route to a Healthy Ocean, Prosperous People and Thriving Economies“
Organizer：Secretariat of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
Location: Palau Community College, Side event room 10
Website of the side event

• "Ministerial Dialogue at Our Ocean 2022. Bold Commitments and Actions Towards Territorial Seas"
Organizers: RARE, JICA
Location: Palau Community College, Side event room 3
Website of the side event
　
Dr. Atsushi Watanabe, a senior research fellow of OPRI-SPF will be a speaker.
 

For inquiries, please contact us.
For more information on the above event, please contact
Tel: 03-5157-5210 (Attn: Masanori Kobayashi, Atsushi Watanabe, Atsushi Kato)
Email: a-kato（@）spf.or.jp