The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF), in coordination with the Global Ocean Forum, FAO, UNESCO-IOC, IUCN, among others, will hold a side-event titled "Oceans Action Day" on Saturday 11 November, 2017 during the 23^rd Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC-COP23) taking place in Bonn, Germany. The event will be held as part of the UNFCCC Global Climate Action team's themed action days at COP23.

The event will begin with a high-level plenary session, followed by six parallel sessions, each on the following themes: the central role of oceans in regulating climate, mitigation, adaptation, displacement, financing, and capacity development. The event will end with a closing plenary session on summary and action follow up, with a special focus on SIDS, NDCs, and capacity building. The themes highlighted in the sessions are the six ocean and climate issue areas advanced by the Roadmap to Oceans and Climate Action (ROCA), developed by 26 governments, international agencies, NGOs, scientific institutions, private sector and subnational authorities, aimed at achieving tangible actions on the areas over the next five years.

Overview

1. Date: Saturday November 11, 2017, 10:00 - 18:00

2. Venue: COP23 Main Venue (Bonn Zone), World Conference Center, Rooms 6, 11, 12

3. Main Organizers: Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF), Global Ocean Forum (GOF), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC), others

4. Provisional Program

10:00 to 11:30 OPENING PLENARY, HIGH LEVEL, FOCUSED ON OCEAN ACTIONS AND CHARTING FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Chair: H.E. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director General, FAO

Special Addresses on the Imperative of Addressing Oceans and Climate

• Hon. Inia Seruiratu, Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Fiji, High-Level Champion for Climate Change Action, the COP 23 Presidency perspective and the results of the UN Ocean Conference
• H.E. Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries, Oceans and climate actions in the EU Ocean Governance Strategy and report on progress of EU mobilization from the public and private sectors from Our Ocean Conference

Progress in Oceans and Climate Action

• Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Ocean Forum and ROCA, Progress Achieved on Oceans and Climate, NDCs
• H.E. Ambassador Ronald Jumeau, UN Permanent Representative, Seychelles, Taking Action on SIDS, NDCs, and Capacity Development
• Mr. Romain Troublé, President, Ocean and Climate Platform, and Ms. Loreley Picourt, Head of Initiatives, Ocean and Climate Initiatives Alliance, Progress of Ocean and Climate Initiatives
• Mr. Matti Nummelin, Finland, Mr. Mohamed Nbou, Morocco, Co-Chairs, Paris Committee on Capacity Building, UNFCCC, Workplan on Capacity-building for the implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in the context of the Paris Agreement

16:30 to 18:30 CLOSING PLENARY: SUMMARY AND ACTION FOLLOW UP

Organizers: GOF, FAO, Government of Seychelles, OPRI-SPF

Emphasis on specific action related to SIDS, NDCs, Capacity Building

Chair: Ambassador H.E. Ronald Jumeau, Seychelles, The Road from COP22 to COP23: How Well Are We Doing?

• Mr. Manuel Barange, FAO, and Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Ocean Forum, Summary of Actions Emanating from Oceans Action Day
• Special Address: From the UN Ocean Conference to COP23 and Beyond

H.E. Peter Thomson, Fiji, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean and President of the 71^st Session of the UN General Assembly

• The Honourable Catherine McKenna MP, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada (TBC)
• H.E. Ms. Eva Svedling, Vice Minister for Climate, Sweden
• H.E. Mr. Anote Tong, Former President of Kiribati
• H.E. Ms. Claire Perry, Minister of State for Climate Change and Industry, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, United Kingdom (TBC)
• H.E. Mr. Jan Szysko, Minister of Environment, Poland, host of COP 24 (TBC)
• Dr. Atsushi Sunami, President, Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
• Mr. Philippe Vallette, Directeur Général, Nausicaá, France and World Ocean Network, and Mr. Jean-Michel Cousteau, Ocean Futures Society

~Concurrent Session 6~

Migration and Displacement: Risk reduction and preparedness

Co-chairs: Dr. Miko Maekawa (OPRI-SPF), Mr. Carl Bruch (Environmental Law Institute)

Speakers:

• H.E. Mr. Enele Sopoaga, Prime Minister, Tuvalu

• H.E. Mr. Robert Glasser, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (TBC)

• Mr. Kosi Latu, Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme

• Dr. Koko Warner, Manager, Impacts, Vulnerability and Risks Subprogramme, Adaptation Programme, UNFCCC Secretariat

• Prof. Walter Kaelin, Member, Committee on International Law and Sea Level Rise of the International Law Association

• Professor Mikiyasu Nakayama, University of Tokyo

• Mr. Atle Solberg, Head, Coordination Unit, Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD)

Additional References:

1. Provisional Program for Oceans Action Day at COP23 (Full length)

2. Flyer for Oceans Action Day at COP23

For more information, please contact OPRI via the e-mail address below.

Contact: oceanpolicy@spf.or.jp