The International Ocean Governance forum attended by QUB

On the 8th July 2020, Dr. Wesley Flannery, Queen’s University Belfast, participated in the International Ocean Governance (IOG) Online Forum on Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biodiversity. The IOG brings together actors, stakeholders and experts within and beyond Europe for interactive dialogues on ocean challenges and governance solutions. This online forum addressed questions raised by  IOG Thematic  Working  Group  (TWG)  1  Improving  the  international  ocean  governance  framework  and  TWG  2  Reducing pressure on the ocean  and seas and creating the conditions  for a sustainable blue economy. The objective of the workshop was to identify specific opportunities for improvement within the current international ocean governance framework that will strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. Specifically, the workshop focused on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, identifying: strategies and opportunities for the development of a coherent global network of Marine Protected Areas; approaches supporting the parallel implementation of broader ecosystem-based management measures; and, requirements to ensure the effective management and performance of Marine Protected Areas networks. The workshops built on the discussion papers and three webinars on the thematic working groups  of the IOG Forum. Their results will feed into the development of recommendations for future EU action on IOG. For more information on the IOG and on how to participate, see: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/maritimeforum/en/frontpage/1480