The High Seas Alliance played a pivotal role at COP29, championing the ocean’s importance in global climate solutions. From highlighting the High Seas Treaty to advocating for ambitious climate commitments, our engagement focused on ensuring the ocean remains central to addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Discover how we amplified member voices, participated in key discussions, and worked to drive progress for the ocean at this critical moment. Read the full recap of our activities and achievements.
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP & LC Engagement) at COP29
The High Seas Alliance (HSA) acknowledges the vital role Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP&LCs) play in conserving marine biodiversity, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). To ensure their knowledge, values, and rights are fully incorporated into BBNJ decision-making, we are adopting a co-creation approach that emphasizes inclusivity and human-centered collaboration.
In 2025, HSA will launch its Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LC) Engagement Strategy, where one of its aims is to establish a network of IP&LC representatives. This network will serve as a resource pool and provide members for various committees, including the Scientific and Technological Body (STB). As part of this initiative, the High Seas Alliance participated in COP29 in Azerbaijan in November 2024, to connect with IP&LC representatives attending the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) under the UNFCCC. This engagement included sharing information with them on the workshops to introduce them to HSA’s work and plans for 2025.
Kingdom of Brussels COP29 Side Event
At COP29, the Kingdom of Brussels organized a side event titled “BBNJ – Breaking the Silos: A Discussion on Synergies and Cooperation for the High Seas”. The panel featured prominent speakers, including Olive Vaai (Oceania Pacific Regional Coordinator for the High Seas Alliance), Angelique Pouponneau (Advisor to the Palau Mission to the United Nations), Lilly Yang Liu (World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council Member and UN Youth Representative), and Ulrik Lenaerts (Deputy Head of the Brussels UNFCCC Delegation) and the closing remarks from Willem van de Voorde, Belgiums Special Envoy for BBNJ and Hon. Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister for Energy.
The conversation explored ways to better integrate the UNFCCC framework with marine biodiversity conservation, highlighting how adaptation policies can drive progress towards the 30×30 target and broader biodiversity objectives. Olive Vaai emphasized the Pacific’s role as a hub of exceptional biodiversity, yet highly vulnerable to climate change, overfishing, and habitat loss. She argued for region-specific adaptation strategies as the key to achieving the 30×30 target and the goals of the BBNJ Agreement—critical to ensuring healthier and more resilient ecosystems both on land and at sea.
Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner: Pacific Ocean Alliance COP29 Side Event
The Pacific Ocean Alliance (POA) hosted a panel discussion titled “Strengthening Ocean Coordination: The Role of the Pacific Ocean Alliance in the Blue Pacific” at the Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion, honoured by the presence of Dr. Filimon Manoni, Pacific Ocean Commissioner. Panelists explored the impact of climate change on fish stocks, the critical need for ocean protection and coordination, and the vital role of youth in ocean advocacy among other critical issues. The discussion underscored the importance of the Pacific Ocean Alliance as a regional mechanism and emphasized the necessity of collaboration among stakeholders to maximize its effectiveness.
The High Seas Alliance is part of the POA network facilitated by the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, which is one of the key examples of fostering multistakeholder partnerships to advance cohesive and effective ocean policy coordination.
High Seas Alliance COP 29 Side Event: “Building Connections that Matter”
The event “Building Connections that Matter”, moderated by Ghazali Ohorella, BBNJ Advisor, explored the intersection of traditional knowledge, youth engagement, and policymaking in advancing ocean conservation.
Dr. Filimon Manoni, Pacific Ocean Commissioner for the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, discussed the Pacific people’s rich tradition of passing down ocean navigation and ecological knowledge across generations. Jocabed Solano, Indigenous Kuna representative from Memoria Indígena in Panama, emphasized the critical need to integrate Indigenous worldviews with scientific approaches, particularly for protecting the High Seas, noting that this collaboration could enhance efforts to safeguard these vital international waters.
Bodhi Patel, UN Ocean-Climate Solutionist and Founder of Innerlight highlighted the importance of youth involvement in ocean conservation and called for youth-led advocacy to accelerate global priorities, such as the swift ratification of the BBNJ Treaty. Dr. Carter, Deputy Head of the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University underscored how Pacific education incorporates Indigenous values, respect, and spirituality tied to the ocean, enriching the cultural and environmental stewardship in the region.
Wrap up of COP29
While Parties effectively addressed broader political questions, the process at a macro level did not dedicate significant time to exploring ocean- or nature-related climate finance. Despite these gaps, ocean issues found prominence in the Pavilion spaces, including the Oceans Pavilion, the Moana Pacific Pavilion, and various other ocean-focused events
HSA’s engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs) was a noteworthy success, introducing them to the 2025 workshops and laying the groundwork for a growing network of collaborators. This initial effort provides a strong starting point, with the potential for deeper engagement through partnerships with Ocean Voices and other key partners.
This COP underscored an essential truth: climate change and ocean health are inseparable. Addressing one requires decisive and coordinated action on the other.