The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO are working together to develop a framework for international cooperation on ocean governance centered on Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM). This approach enables nations to take a whole-of-society and whole-of-government perspective, integrating ocean conservation into every aspect of resource management and policy.
Called, Delivering a Healthy Ocean, the framework, based on SOPM helps countries connect efforts across administrative boundaries, sectors, and jurisdictions, ensuring that decisions on ocean use are grounded in the best available science and aligned with international frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
The initiative aims to help countries strengthen their technical and institutional capacities to design and implement sustainable ocean plans that reflect local realities while addressing global challenges.
Where necessary, ocean planning and management will also consider ecosystems that cross national borders, the land-sea interface, and even Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), ensuring a coherent and ecosystem-based approach to ocean governance.
Expected outcomes include:
- Establishing a network of professionals and decision-makers across at least 10 countries trained in sustainable ocean planning and management.
- Documenting and sharing best practices globally to foster learning, cooperation, and innovation.
- Supporting the implementation of sustainable ocean plans in at least two countries across different ocean regions, demonstrating the practical benefits of the SOPM approach.
Since its founding in 2000, the Tiffany & Co. Foundation has worked in marine protection, supporting large-scale initiatives for coastal conservation, coral restoration, and blue carbon exploration. The Foundation said its ocean-focused philanthropy has helped advance scientific research, expand marine protected areas, and empower communities to safeguard the ecosystems that sustain them.
Achieving a truly sustainable ocean requires the active engagement of all parts of society, including the private sector. Companies have a unique ability to drive innovation, invest in scalable solutions, and integrate ocean stewardship into business practices and supply chains. By bringing industry expertise and resources to the table, the private sector can help translate scientific insights and policy frameworks into real-world impact.
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO plays a central role in supporting and facilitating this cooperation, connecting nations, institutions, and industries to ensure that ocean action is coordinated, science-based, and globally inclusive. Partnerships like Delivering a Healthy Ocean aim to exemplify how corporate philanthropy and science-based governance can work hand in hand to safeguard marine ecosystems, build climate resilience, and advance the shared global vision of a healthy, productive, and equitable ocean.
