Achieving Target 3 in the ocean by 2030 requires a significant increase in both the extent and quality of marine protected and conserved areas, including beyond national jurisdiction with the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement. While attention has concentrated on the quantitative dimension of KM-GBF Target 3, the qualitative dimensions – including protecting areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, ambitious and appropriate levels of protection, connectivity, effective management and equitable governance - have received less sustained focus.  

As Parties continue to advance implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), this event provides an important opportunity to strengthen guidance to Parties on delivery of high-integrity marine 30x30. Ensuring effectiveness, equity and synergies across national waters and areas beyond national jurisdiction will be critical to how area-based conservation in the ocean is implemented in the years ahead. Delivering these outcomes will also require the enabling conditions for implementation, including investment, partnerships and sustainable financing that support lasting benefits for nature, people and sustainable ocean economies. This side event makes the affirmative case for that approach by bringing together scientific evidence and implementation experience from governments, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, businesses, investors and conservation practitioners, drawing lessons from MPAs and OECMs.

Organised by WWF, World Economic Forum and the CBD Secretariat with contributions from government, scientific community, private sector and civil society partners, this side event will serve as a key convening moment for marine biodiversity discussions, making it one of the most visible platforms for ocean 30x30 at CBD COP17. 

Draft programme

 

18:15-18:30: Opening & scene setting

 

18:30-19:00: High Level Panel | Setting the ambition: The political and scientific case for high integrity marine 30x30 

As 2030 approaches rapidly, the defining challenge is to ensure that momentum accelerates on both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of GBF Target 3. This high-level panel brings together government leaders and leading scientists to make the case and set the ambition on implementation of a high integrity marine 30x30.  

Moderator: Pauli Merriman, Interim Senior Director of Oceans, WWF International (WWF)

 

19:00-19:30: Fireside Chat | From ambition to action: Delivering high integrity Target 3 in practice – what is working, what can we learn and where must we go from here

What has it taken to progress high integrity implementation of Target 3, and what can be done to accelerate this – within national waters and in areas beyond national jurisdiction? How can businesses, investors and financial institutions help scale high-integrity marine protection through investment, innovation, sustainable supply chains and long-term stewardship?  This panel grounds the ambition in lived practice, including examining the enabling conditions to determine whether 30x30 translates into outcomes for people and nature.  

Moderator: Silvia Guzzini, Senior Manager, Strategy and Programme, World Economic Forum 

 

19:30-19:45: Closing Remarks: The ask of COP17 and the opportunity ahead 

Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean