At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11th to 22nd, 2024, Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation will be the lead partner of the Ocean Pavilion which will be co-hosted by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and other organizations.
OPRI will host the following five sessions at this pavilion to introduce the achievements in climate change mitigation and adaptation in the marine sector in Asia, Africa, and other regions, as well as efforts to develop the next generation of ocean leaders through international cooperation, and to promote action to resolve the issues.

Coastal small-scale fisheries are essential for food security, job creation, and cultural preservation, especially in developing nations. However, they are substantially vulnerable to various challenges, including the direct impact of climate change as well as other local stressors. This session examines the ways climate change, along with other anthropogenic factors, exacerbates vulnerabilities in small-scale fisheries, and discusses the existing policy gap which need to be overcome.

Seawater warming, shifts in ocean currents, and more frequent and intense rainstorms are among the factors that reduce fish catches and income for small-scale fishermen. It remains challenging to pinpoint the specific impacts of climate change on the fishery sector and to develop effective adaptation strategies. This session aims to address the impacts of climate change and explore strategies to enhance resilience and promote adaptation in the fishery sector of small island developing states.

To advance ocean conservation and sustainable blue economies, it is essential to identify climate change impacts and establish effective adaptation measures. Within broader policy frameworks, it is equally important to develop management strategies tailored to local conditions. This session aims to explore approaches for developing leadership and designing start-up support in ocean conservation and climate change adaptation to facilitate sustainable blue economies across Africa.

In the face of accelerating climate change, youth emerge as powerful catalysts for innovative solutions and transformative action. This event will explore the dynamic role of young people in advancing ocean conservation and climate resilience. By showcasing cutting-edge youth-centered initiatives, discussing forward-thinking policy advocacy strategies, and identifying capacity-building opportunities, this session aims to inspire and equip the generation of environmental leaders.

Climate and ocean are intrinsically interlinked and support biodiversity and ecosystem services and sustain human livelihood. Sectoral policies and projects need to be inter-connected and institutionalized. Multi-stakeholder engagement, leadership development and start-up support are some of the merging enabling policy factors. High level speakers will share their perspectives on the ways to strengthen policy and institutional frameworks to address the climate-ocean nexus.