When diverse ocean users, custodians and managers gathered at the Australia and the Pacific Ocean Business Leaders' Summit in Cairns, they brought different views. Yet they shared a common goal: a healthy ocean that supports a thriving ocean economy for generations.
The summit was convened by Ocean Decade Australia and brought together:
- Pacific leaders
- Australian Government representatives
- business
- finance
- science
- Traditional Owners
- marine industries
- civil society.
They discussed the challenges facing our ocean economy, and shared ideas and solutions.
Australia's ocean industries play a big role in our economy. They:
- contributed $229 billion in 2022-23
- support more than 700,000 jobs
- sustain coastal communities
- provide food and energy
- move people and goods.
When ocean health suffers, so do communities, cultures and industries.
The ocean is under growing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and other threats. At the same time, demand for space and resources is increasing.
Collaboration is key
A clear message from the summit was the need to work together across sectors, groups, communities and borders to tackle these challenges.
At the summit, the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, announced that we're taking the next step towards finalising Australia's Sustainable Ocean Plan. The plan will set out concrete actions from the Australian Government.
These involve working with Traditional Owners, industry, governments, conservationists, researchers and other ocean users. These actions will:
- improve our stewardship of the ocean
- address key ocean challenges
- support Australia's growing ocean economy.
The minister also announced Dr Tony Worby as the Prime Minister's new Sherpa to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. The Ocean Panel is a group of world leaders setting ambition for global action to achieve 100% sustainable ocean management. Dr Worby is highly regarded for bringing people together through his marine science and conservation work. He will be a strong advocate for Australia's ocean agenda.
- Ocean action is climate action
- Another focus of the summit was the strong link between ocean and climate. The ocean:
- drives our climate
- mitigates many climate change impacts
- is being affected by climate change
- can help us respond to climate challenges.
Pacific participants spoke about their deep connection to the ocean, and how climate change is already affecting their security and livelihoods. They also spoke about the importance of Australia working in partnership with Pacific island countries in the lead-up to COP31.
Through our partnership to deliver the Pre-COP, we're working with Pacific island countries to:
- amplify Pacific voices, leadership and solutions to the climate crisis
- elevate shared priorities, including sustainable ocean management and the ocean-climate connection
- make sure lived experience shapes climate discussions.
Events such as the Ocean Business Leaders' Summit help drive momentum for stronger ocean outcomes in the lead-up to the Pre-COP and COP31 later this year.
