2 February 2018: The UN Global Compact has announced the establishment of a ‘Business Action Platform for the Ocean,’ a three-year global programme bringing together a range of stakeholders to advance the ocean economy and sustainable development. The Platform will develop a business leadership framework focused on ocean growth, innovation and sustainability, with the aim of scaling up commitments and performance of companies.

The project will explore how to best protect the ocean’s health; mobilize the private sector to act, make investments and develop partnerships to leverage the ocean as a resource to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and enhance private sector engagement in advocacy and public policy. It will also gather new data and map industry-level impacts on sustainable ocean development.

Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact said that the global business community has a significant role to play in ensuring the sustainable use of oceans, and that this Platform aims to mobilize the private sector to help deliver on the SDGs. Also speaking on the Platform, the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Torbjørn Røe Isaksen pointed out the importance of the ocean economy.

The Platform, which was announced on 2 February in Oslo, Norway, is one of a number of Action Platforms the UN Global Compact has introduced to help achieve the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. Goal 14 on life below water calls for conserving and sustainably using the ocean, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Norway is the first government partner in the Platform, which will be formally launched on World Ocean Day, on 8 June 2018, New York, US. [UN Global Compact News Story] [Business Action Platform for the Ocean Website]