Day 1, 2 December 2020

21.30-22.00

1. HIGH-LEVEL OPENING

Introductory remarks by Ms. Stella Gama, SBSTA Rapporteur

Statements from

?His Excellency Andrés Allamand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chile

?His Excellency Laurent Anselmi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Monaco

?Rt Hon Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister for Pacific and the Environment, UK

His Excellency Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean

?Ms. Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary

22.00-22.30

2. KEYNOTES

Moderator: Stella Gama, SBSTA Rapporteur

Key messages from the IPCC Special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate (15min)
Hans-Otto Pörtner and Elvira Poloczanska, IPCC

22.30-22.35

3. STRENGTHENING EXISTING PROCESSES AND PROCESS SUPPORT FOR ACTION ON ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION

22.35-23.35

Discussion Group 1: Strengthening action under the UNFCCC
As described in the information note, the ocean is considered in some activities and agenda items under the UNFCCC. This discussion group will explore options and opportunities to strengthen understanding of, and synergies across, existing ocean-related work of UNFCCC workstreams, instruments, and constituted bodies. This must be done based on the best available science, recognizing that the ocean must be considered in all aspects of climate change action.

Guiding Questions

1. Where are the current opportunities on ocean-climate action and where do we need to strengthen understanding, synergies and action under the UNFCCC?
2. What further actions under the UNFCCC are needed to address the gaps and link together and strengthen action on ocean and climate change?

Moderator: Helen Ågren, Ambassador for the Ocean at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Rapporteur: Lisa Schindler-Murray, Senior Manager, Policy & Partnerships at Rare (NWP expert group on oceans and coastal zone)

Panellists:
(3 min brief reflections to motivate discussion)

• Carlos Fuller, AOSIS Chair
• Kenel Delusca, Least Developed Countries Expert Group
• Fiona Gilbert, Standing Committee on Finance (SCF)
• Loreley Picourt, Ocean & Climate Platform (NWP expert group on oceans and coastal zones)

 Mentimeter Poll Result

Discussion Group 2: Stengthening action across the UN
A large number of UN entities are working at the ocean/climate change/biodiversity nexus, as described in the information note. This discussion group will explore options and opportunities for strengthening understanding of, and synergies between, UNFCCC and the wider UN system’s support for action on ocean and climate change. The discussion could also include how to link together national action to optimize responses to different multilateral agreements.

Guiding Questions

1. Where are the current opportunities on ocean-climate action and where do we need to strengthen understanding, synergies and action under the UN?
2. What further actions are needed to address the gaps and link together and strengthen action on ocean and climate change?

Moderator: Minna Epps, Director, Global Marine and Polar Programme, IUCN

Rapporteur: Pauli Merriman, Policy Manager Oceans, WWF International

Panellists:

(3 min brief reflections to motivate discussion)

• Alice Hicuburundi, Senior Legal Officer Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, UN
• Joseph Appiott, Marine, Coastal and Island Biodiversity, CBD
• Manuel Barange, Director Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Resources Division, FAO
• Fredrik Haag, Head, Office for the London Convention/Protocol and Ocean Affairs, IMO

 Mentimeter Poll Result

23.35-23.45

23.45-23.55

4. PLENARY

Moderator: Stella Gama, SBSTA Rapporteur

Reports from breakout groups

23.55-24.00

Wrap-up of Day 1 

Visual Storytelling

Day 2, 3 December 2020

21.30-22.00

5. KEYNOTES

Moderator: Stella Gama, SBSTA Rapporteur

Jane Lubchenco, Co-chair, High level panel for a sustainable ocean economy

Dalee Sambo Dorough, Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council

Ruth Mthembu, WILDOCEANS, ?Youth 4 MPAs

?Opportunities the ocean provides for enhancing ambition in NDCs, NGO partnership

?Resilient Reefs Initiative, Fanny Douvere, UNESCO

?Youth leadership voices for the ocean, introduced by Daniela Fernandez, Sustainable Ocean Alliance

6. STRENGTHENING ACTION ON ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION, AND MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION

22.05-23.05

Discussion Group 3: Strengthening action at national level
Submissions underscore the importance of integrated solutions based on the best available science: including ecosystem-based approaches, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as emission reduction and climate-smart renewables. This discussion group will explore options and opportunities for strengthening understanding, synergies and action on adaptation and mitigation, including as part of countries’ national response under the UNFCCC, including NDCs and NAPs.

Guiding Questions

1. Resilient ocean means urgent adaptation and mitigation action through increasing understanding, ambition and action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. Where are the current opportunities to fully integrate ocean into climate change action and where do we need to strengthen understanding, synergies and action as part of national responses?
2. What further actions are needed to address gaps and strengthen national action under the UNFCCC framework and more widely? What processes can help?

Moderator: Kushaal Raj, Climate Change and International Cooperation Division, Ministry of Economy, Fiji

Rapporteur: Tamara Thomas, Director, International Ocean Policy, Conservation International

Panellists:
(3 min brief reflections to motivate discussion)

• Haydée Rodríguez Romero, Vice Minister of Water and Seas, Costa Rica
• Cameron Diver, Deputy Director-General of the Pacific Community
• Han Han, Founder and Executive Director, China Blue Sustainability Institute
• Anne Merwin, Vice President Conservation, Ocean Conservancy
• Benjamin Sykes, VP Ørsted and Co-chair, Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition

  Mentimeter Poll Result

Discussion Group 4: Strengthening cross-cutting support for action
Submissions provide a strong call to discuss options and opportunities for finance and funding and other cross-cutting issues. This group will explore options and opportunities to improve the effectiveness of, and strengthen, the mechanisms already in place for financial support, technology transfer and capacity-building. It will also explore new opportunities for blue finance and funding, as well as for joining up the finance/funding agendas for climate change and ocean action.

Guiding Questions

1. Where are the current opportunities to fully enable finance and technical capacity for ocean and climate change action under UNFCCC and where do we need to strengthen understanding, synergies and action to support national responses?
2. What further actions are needed to mobilise resources / redirect finance to strengthen support for ocean and climate change action under the UNFCCC? How do we catalyse public/private engagement - and provide a model that can be represented and scaled across ecosystems and geographies?

Moderator: Torsten Thiele, Founder, Global Ocean Trust

Rapporteur: Karen Sack, President and CEO, Ocean Unite

Panellists:
(3 min brief reflections to motivate discussion)

• Janine Felson, Ambassador, Belize
• Keith Alger, Regional Manager, Green Climate Fund
• Angelique Pouponneau, Chief Executive Officer, SeyCCAT
• Chip Cunliffe, Director, Sustainable Development at AXA XL

  Mentimeter Poll Result

Transition
Short Video – ?Vida Manglar: A Blue Carbon Initiative in Colombia - A Global Example, Conservation International and Partners*

The film highlights Colombia’s Cispata blue carbon project as an example for blue carbon actions that can be replicated in other countries. Additionally, the film describes how coastal blue carbon ecosystems can contribute to national commitments addressing climate change.

23.15-23.25

7. PLENARY

Moderator: Stella Gama, SBSTA Rapporteur

Reports from discussion groups

23.25-23.55

8. PLENARY

Moderator: Stella Gama, SBSTA Rapporteur

Expected outcomes from the dialogue and ways forward

General discussion

 Mentimeter Poll Result

Wrap-up of Day 2 by Stella Gama, SBSTA Rapporteur

Visual Storytelling