1 th Partnership Dialogue 2 on 6 June 2017 Germany What are contributing factors to successfully manage, protect, conserve and restore marine and coastal ecosystems? 1. Consequent application of an integrated ecosystem approach to reach at a sound, ecosystem-based protection and management of marine resources and biodiversity that strengthens their resilience and their production capacity. DE supports the establishment of a global network of terrestrial/coastal and marine protected areas        that promotes equitable benefit-sharing at all levels (including the local one) and cooperation among countries    along    ecologically   defined    boundaries  of  Large   Marine Ecosystems, backed with reliable finance and capacity building development (volume and number of current DE marine and coastal conservation projects in international cooperation, around EUR 196 Mio for 35 projects). 2. A strengthened regional dimension to ocean governance is another key to meet most of the interdependent SDG14 targets and other marine-related targets. It helps to cooperate at an ecosystem scale and to work together across sectors and national boundaries. At our todays Regional Seas Day at the German Oceans’ Pavilion with partners from various regions of the world develops recommendations which we will share with the Conference. 3. We have to improve the knowledge and capacities including for the scientific identification of areas requiring special protection; we have to expand     scientific   research   including   for  adaptation  measures    for strengthening their resilience, a better understanding of exceptional areas (see e.g. also the high seas and challenges such as deep sea mining). Germany supports the Global Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI) to help countries, as well as regional and global organizations, to use and develop data, tools, and methodologies to identify ecologically significant areas in the oceans (EBSAs) within the CBD. Germany recently awarded another GOBI partnership funding for 5 years and several millions of EUR. 4. Any such projects will only be successful if backed by a stable legal framework. We urge the UNGA to take a decision during its 72nd session to launch the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally Titel                                                                      Seite 1 von 3

2 binding instrument under the UNCLOS Convention on the rapid conclusion of the negotiations on the global agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). What type of partnerships creates engagement across sectors that traditionally function as separate entities and why are they successful? 1. Partnerships are needed with broad-based participation especially of the community level and full involvement of civil society groups to use all experience, e.g., to protect the mangroves that are rich in biodiversity, a nursery for fish production and a climate regulator. The initiative “Save our Mangroves now” of our Development Cooperation Ministry aims, jointly with NGO-partners, at making mangrove protection an integral part of SDG-14 implementation, also in support of the Global Mangrove Alliance. 2. Regional partnerships are another key for progress, notably among Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans and Regional Fisheries Bodies and large marine ecosystem projects. Germany supports the Partnership for Regional Ocean Governance to foster effective protection and sustainable management of marine resources via regional cooperation worldwide. Regional partnerships can also help overcoming gaps and balance institutional weaknesses of singular partners. 3. Public Private Partnerships are also supportive to marine sustainability. How can we ensure local community involvement, alternative livelihood development and the equitable sharing of benefits derived from area- based measures? 1. Concrete action is needed at the local level. The Ten-Point Action Plan on marine conservation and sustainable fisheries (2016) of the German Development Cooperation follows a cross-sectoral integrating approach combining marine conservation measures with sustainable use of marine resources, inter alia, in artisanal fisheries, certification and fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. For the period 2016-2017, Germany allocates EUR 165 million Euros to its implementation. 2. Our International Climate Initiative (IKI) facilitates projects including long-term funding for similar purposes, as just mentioned, as well as pollution reduction Titel                                                                         Seite 2 von 3

3 and protection of coastal population from the consequences of climate change, in support of SDG 14 and the CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets, too. IKI targets EUR 25 mio for 2017 and has a specific focus on ocean protection next year. 3. As another response to financing challenges including at community level for marine protected areas and transboundary conservation is the “Blue Action Fund” of German Development Cooperation to promote activities of national and international non-governmental organizations with an initial endowment worth EUR 24 million. 4. Our Blue Solutions Initiative creates a network to close the knowledge gaps and safeguard the sustainable use and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems through protected area management via information, strategic and experience exchange, workshops, pilot testing and an online platform, documentation and implementing advice into national and regional strategies and planning processes. How can we better measure the impacts and effectiveness of area-based measures and their socio-economic costs and benefits? 1. We need enhanced governance structures, including at the regional level, monitoring and assessment to measure the effectiveness of area-based measures. Today’s Regional Seas Day at the German Mission aims at the provision for concrete input to this challenge, too. 2. Regional ocean governance is a driver for the development of integrated approaches to tackle all three pillars of sustainability. Socio-economic considerations are an important balancing factor in that context, too as is capacity building and technical assistance. 3. Regional ocean governance and cooperation can work across sectoral issues and national boundaries and takes into account the interactions between different goals and targets. It shares available information, data and methodologies. It helps developing commonly acceptable assessment tools for monitoring, creates a regional exchange mechanism, possibly via easily accessible platforms, to overcome gaps and to help with institutional arrangements to avoid any duplication of work, but equally important for partners, to establish regional arrangements where there are no or insufficient national ones – especially due to lack of resources and knowledge. Titel                                                                   Seite 3 von 3