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Add to Preferred SourcesAhead of the UN Ocean Conference which takes place in Lisbon, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., has announced almost €10 million in funding to help address ocean challenges faced by developing countries including Small Island Developing States.
Minister Coveney said:
“To successfully address the huge challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, we need to be responsive to the health of the oceans. This package of funding underlines the importance that Ireland attaches to the oceans and will assist us to understand, protect and restore our oceans while helping to sustain livelihoods for vulnerable people in the least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.”
Colm Brophy T.D., Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, added:
“As an island nation ourselves, we have a strong connection with Small Island Developing States across the world. It is important that they are being prioritized through this funding. In particular, the Our Shared Ocean Programme, which is being delivered in association with the Marine Institute, will facilitate partnerships between research centers in Ireland and Small Island Developing States, strengthening our connections and shared contribution to promoting sustainable ocean management.”
Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, said:
“As Ireland moves towards our goal of 30% Marine Protected Area coverage by 2030, we recognise that there are challenges and opportunities. The triple ocean challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution require a transition towards enhanced ocean protection. Ireland’s Government this week announced Our Shared Ocean, a program addressing ocean challenges for Small Island Developing States. As a small island nation, we are committed to protecting the ocean that we all share. We believe that by working together we can overcome the triple ocean challenges, and build a better ocean future for people and for nature.”
The funding announcement comprises:
- €5 million over three years to the Blue Action Fund to enhance the management and use of coastal and marine ecosystems in developing countries while improving the lives of local people.
- €3.8 million over five years for the Our Shared Ocean Programme to facilitate research partnerships between Irish and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) based institutions.
- €600,000 for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), to promote equitable and inclusive development of coastal areas in Tanzania with a focus on marginalized women and girls.
- €300,000 to the World Bank PROBLUE Trust Fund, specifically for activities in the Caribbean to support the sustainable and integrated development of marine and coastal resources.
- €250,000 to Climate KIC to support innovation in the Blue Economy in Pacific Island Developing States through an enterprise support program.