The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) established an ambitious global commitment to conserve at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas by 2030 through effectively managed, ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (Target 3). While significant progress has been made in expanding marine protected areas, achieving Target 3 requires greater attention to management effectiveness, ecological connectivity, governance quality, and regional cooperation across jurisdictional boundaries.

With more than fifty years of experience supporting regional ocean governance, the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, comprising 18 Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans covering over 140 countries, provides an established institutional framework for translating global biodiversity commitments into coordinated regional implementation. Regional Seas facilitate ecosystem-based management, regional marine spatial planning, transboundary conservation, monitoring, scientific collaboration and policy coordination, while supporting the implementation of GBF Target 3.

This side event will explore how Regional Seas can accelerate delivery of Target 3 by strengthening regional cooperation on marine protected areas (MPAs), Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), ecological connectivity and integrated ocean governance. Particular attention will be given to how existing Regional Seas legal frameworks, protocols, Regional Action Plans and COP decisions already contribute to achieving the qualitative elements of Target 3, including effective management, equitable governance and representative networks.

The discussion will also examine the growing synergies around Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction. As Parties begin implementing the BBNJ Agreement, Regional Seas plays an important role in supporting regional scientific cooperation, facilitating ecosystem-based approaches that connect Exclusive Economic Zones with adjacent high seas ecosystems, sharing regional data and monitoring systems, and providing institutional platforms that complement global decision-making while respecting the mandates of relevant international organizations.

The event will showcase practical regional examples demonstrating how Regional Seas are supporting countries in implementing GBF Target 3, identify opportunities for stronger collaboration between CBD and Regional Seas processes, and discuss priorities for scaling implementation between now and 2030. It will provide a platform for Parties, regional organizations, scientific experts and partners to exchange experiences and identify concrete actions that strengthen biodiversity conservation across the continuum from coastal ecosystems to the high seas.

Event Impact

This side event will strengthen the role of Regional Seas as one of the key regional delivery mechanisms for implementing the marine components of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

First, it will demonstrate how Regional Seas already contribute to achieving Target 3 through legally binding regional agreements, ecosystem-based management approaches, marine spatial planning, regional monitoring systems and transboundary cooperation. Highlighting existing regional experiences will provide Parties with practical examples that can be replicated across regions and scaled to accelerate implementation before 2030.

Second, the event will strengthen coherence between global biodiversity and ocean governance processes by exploring complementarities with and the BBNJ Agreement. Particular emphasis will be placed on how Regional Seas can facilitate regional scientific cooperation, promote ecosystem connectivity between national waters and areas beyond national jurisdiction, and support implementation of Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) while respecting the mandates established under the BBNJ Agreement. Strengthening these linkages will help create more coherent and ecologically connected networks of marine conservation measures across jurisdictional boundaries.

Third, the event will foster stronger partnerships among Parties, Regional Seas, international organizations, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, scientific institutions and civil society to accelerate implementation of Target 3. Discussions will identify opportunities for coordinated capacity-building, knowledge sharing and technical support that improve management effectiveness, monitoring and equitable governance of marine protected areas and OECMs.

Ultimately, the event will reinforce the message that achieving 30x30 is not solely about increasing protected area coverage but about building connected, effectively managed and regionally coordinated conservation systems. By showcasing Regional Seas as an established platform linking global commitments with regional implementation, the event will contribute to stronger cooperation between biodiversity and ocean governance processes and help translate GBF ambitions into measurable conservation outcomes.