Sustainable Ocean for All

Many developing countries rely heavily on ocean-based industries such as tourism and fisheries yet capture only a small share of the global value added of the ocean economy. The ocean offers untapped opportunities for developing countries to boost employment, reduce poverty, and enhance food security. At the same time, climate change, pollution, overfishing, and other unprecedented pressures from human activity are pushing the health of oceans to a tipping point. Left unaddressed, these threats could undermine not only the socioeconomic benefits of the ocean, but also the resource base on which all life ultimately depends.

The OECD provides evidence and data to inform effective ocean-related development co-operation. It also offers policy support and advice to developing countries across various areas of the sustainable ocean economy.

The ocean holds one of the keys to sustainable development and can help accelerate action on climate, biodiversity, economic transformation, and social inclusion. However, for many developing countries, resource constraints can be prohibitive.

1. Guidance for ocean-related development co-operation: Provide guidance to inform ocean-related development assistance and promote mutual exchange, learning, and coordination between countries and the entire development cooperation ecosystem focused on ocean sustainability.
2. Data on development finance for the ocean: Track and analyse development assistance, private finance mobilised and philanthropic contributions for the ocean economy, including for curbing plastic pollution.
3. Country level analysis and policy advice: Provide holistic assessments of countries ocean economies and recommendations on policies and financing tools to develop the ocean economy more sustainably, through the Sustainable Ocean Economy Country Diagnostics and the Blue Recovery Hubs.
4. Thematic and region-specific studies: Carry out analysis of policy issues central to promoting a sustainable ocean economy, namely plastic pollution and innovative financing mechanisms, as well as on specific country-groups (e.g. SIDS, ASEAN).