The Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN organized a side event in the margins of the 2025 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which explored linkages between ocean protection, climate change, and employment and decent work. SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) are under in-depth review by this year’s HLPF.

Titled, ‘Turning the Tide: Unlocking the Power of the Ocean,’ the event took place in New York, US, on 21 July 2025.  

Speakers noted global attention to ocean policy, biodiversity, and funding during the tenth Our Ocean Conference in April, the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in June, and the in-depth review of SDG 14 (life below water) during HLPF 2025.

Opening the event, Antje Leendertse, Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN, noted that “spaces for dialogue and learning like those provided by the HLPF are more crucial than ever.” With only five years left to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, she emphasized the HLPF’s essential role in promoting multilateralism.

In a keynote address, Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard, Vice-Minister of National Development Planning and Vice Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Indonesia, underscored that while SDG 14 brings numerous benefits, from carbon storage to jobs, it is the least funded of all SDGs. He said Indonesia will feature ocean issues across many SDGs in its next voluntary national review (VNR).

Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany, noted that having secured commitments to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), UNOC3 “demonstrated that multilateralism works.” She outlined the support activities of the Blue Action Fund and invited other countries to engage with this financing instrument.

During a panel discussion on multilateral marine protection, Pamela Castillo, 30×30 Marine Director, Wildlife Conservation Society, stressed the need for regional cooperation for achieving the 30×30 objectives, as well as for inclusive, legitimate, and locally grounded governance. She highlighted opportunities for blended financing such as blue bonds and debt-for-nature swaps.

Antje Boetius, President and CEO, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, lamented reductions in support for assessments of types of ocean carbon, among other activities, noting that, “scientifically, it is not too difficult to turn things around for the ocean.”

Markus Knigge, Executive Director, Blue Action Fund, outlined the Blue Action Fund’s work in bringing governments together. He called for more attention to “economic losers” – such as those whose fishing catches are reduced – and the reasons for their challenges.

In closing, Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany, stated that as a member of the High-Ambition Coalition (HAC), her country supports a strong plastics agreement and noted that Germany is working on ratifying the BBNJ Agreement.

Prior to the side event, a signing ceremony took place, where Germany became the fourth government to join the Women Ocean Guardians voluntary commitment. “This public-private initiative elevates women who work on the frontlines of marine conservation and sustainable use and seeks to transform ocean governance for more resilient and sustainable outcomes,” the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary notes. [ENB Coverage]