This side–event organised by IW:LEARN, will start off with an animated panel discussion on “Partnering for Ocean Sustainability: Engaging the Private Sector” (16:00–17:10 CEST). This session will explore how private sector actors are contributing to ocean sustainability and how public-private collaboration can enhance LME efforts going forward, building on the recent conclusions drawn from LME24.

Interested? Register here. 

Immediately after, we’ll shift focus to “Celebrating 30 Years of LME Cooperation”, period in which GEF has supported 23 LMEs and 124 countries, reflecting on the legacy and impact of the LME approach in enabling transboundary governance, regional partnerships, and ecosystem-based ocean management.

This session will highlight key achievements in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Real-world case studies from Africa, Asia, and Latin America will show how LME projects have successfully translated global ocean commitments into regionally coordinated, locally impactful actions. The discussion will also underscore the strategic role of Strategic Action Programmes (SAPs) and partnerships in building sustainable ocean governance frameworks and strengthening national commitments.

Together, these two back-to-back sessions showcase the power of cross-sector partnerships, long-term cooperation, and grounded, scalable solutions in accelerating ocean action and achieving SDG 14.

Interested? Register here. 

Date: 10 June 2025
Location: Le Saint Paul Hotel, Nice, France
Time:

• 16:00–17:10 CEST, Partnering for Ocean Sustainability: Engaging the Private Sector
• 17:15 - 18:30 CEST, Celebrating 30 years of Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) Cooperation:
  Scaling up Action for SDG14 through the LME approach
• 18:30 - 20:00 CEST, Networking Cocktail

Organizers: GEF IW:LEARN, UNESCO IOC, IMO