World Oceans Day: High Seas Treaty

World Oceans Day is an important reminder of the critical role oceans play in sustaining life, economies, and climate stability. This year’s theme, “Catalysing Action for Our Ocean & Climate,” highlights the need for practical, locally driven solutions to protect marine ecosystems and support coastal communities.

In this context, we are pleased to share details of Landell Mills’ ongoing projects that contribute to this effort – each focused on building resilience, improving livelihoods, and promoting more sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

Under our work for the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), Landell Mills is working with key partners including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Milieu Consulting, 3BIO and Leibniz Institute DSMZ to support the ratification and early implementation of the High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction [BBNJ] Agreement).

As part of this work, IUCN are coordinating the secretariat for the BBNJ High Amibition Coalition – co-chaired by Palau, Seychelles, and the EU – a global, ambitious, high-level government led initiative working to bring protection to the biodiversity of the High Seas and help deliver on key biodiversity, ocean and climate targets, through entry into force and robust implementation of the BBNJ Treaty.

Activities under this project include the organisation of a launch event scheduled during BBNJ PrepCom 1 in New York (see pictures) as well as an event at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference being held in Nice, France between 9-13 June 2025.

Landell Mills is leading this project in association with Swiss Re, and other consortium partners include Rare, Konservasi Indonesia, WWF Pacific, Sustain Value, Blue Pangolin, and Blue Seeds, University of Queensland.

The project aims to (i) build the case for effective coral reef protection, restoration, and sustainable management; (ii) implementing strong policies and governance approaches to underpin their protection, restoration, and sustainable management; and (iii) assessing viable options for sustainable financing and risk management to address climate change related hazards, and approaches to optimize and complement the limited public funds allocated for coral reef protection and restoration.

As part of this work, coral reef surveys have been conducted in selected sites covering Rote Ndao and Nusa Penida in Indonesia, the Arnavon Community Marine Park in Solomon Islands, Denarau and Suva in Fiji, and Siargao island Protected Landscape and Seascape in Philippines. The project has also conducted Climate Risk Assessments, Ecosystem valuation and Cost Benefit Analysis, and a legal and regulatory assessment to assess the enabling conditions for coral reef finance and insurance in the selected project sites. On 28 May, the recommendations were presented to stakeholders in Siargao.