IROE Chair and SMMI Deputy Director, Susan Gourvenec participates in All Party Parliamentary Group roundtable at Parliament celebrating World Ocean Day and 10 years of the Blue Belt Programme
As part of the University of Southampton’s membership of the Environment All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Susan joined parliamentarians, policymakers, scientists, environmental organisations and representatives from the British Overseas Territories for a roundtable discussion “Blue Belt at 10: delivering the next decade of ocean protection. What should global leadership look like?”
The discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned from the first decade of the Blue Belt Programme and to consider future priorities for international cooperation, marine protection and sustainable ocean governance at a time of growing environmental, geopolitical and economic pressure.
Particular emphasis was placed on practical delivery, scientific collaboration and evidence-led policymaking, as governments and institutions seek to balance environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable economic development.
Discussion was wide ranging covering the evolution and lessons learnt from the first decade of the Blue Belt Programme, how marine protection efforts have adapted to increasing geopolitical, environmental and climate pressures; the role of Overseas Territories in shaping future global ocean policy; and the role of science, technology and local expertise in strengthening marine monitoring, enforcement and conservation.
A delegation from the Cayman Islands provided insights into their partnership role with the UK government to develop and deliver vital environmental programmes, the value of the Blue Belt Programme to the Cayman Islands, and current ocean-facing challenges and opportunities.
The round table was hosted by Dr Al Pinkerton MP, with participation of MPs and Peers, including Fleur Anderson MP, Chair of the Environment APPG, Anna Gelderd MP, and Baroness Golding; the Cayman Island delegation including Katherine Ebanks-Wilks MP, Wayne Pemberton MP, John Bothwell, and Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia; Charles Long, Secretary of the Environment APPG, Felix Lane of Greenpeace UK, Alec Taylor of Oceana, Adrian Gahan of the Blue Marine Foundation and Sarah Taylor of NOC provided policy and public affairs expertise; Susan was joined by Dr Ben Moat of NOC representing the scientific community.
Read about the roundtable on the APPG website and see their LinkedIn post on the event, or find out more about the Environment APPG and the Blue Belt Programme.
Read the SMMI-led white paper “ From Grey to Blue: An Ocean Economy fit for the Future ” that informed the UK Government’s Global Strategic Trends: Out to 2055 ; our paper “ Pathways to achieving a sustainable and just ocean economy ”, and Conversation article “ Five ways to make the ocean economy more sustainable and just ”.