The United Nations, through the Office of Legal Affairs, Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, and the Nippon Foundation have announced a new UN-Nippon Foundation “Sustainable Ocean Programme” to train ocean professionals from developing countries.

This announcement was made by the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, and the Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, during the Alumni Meeting of the United Nations – Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme, which was held on the margins of the Ocean Conference taking place from 5 to 9 June. The Special Adviser for Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency Ambassador Dessima Williams, also participated in the ceremony.

The new Programme aims to provide over 200 nationals from developing countries with advanced training and research opportunities over the next three years.

Starting in 2018, this new Programme will build capacities to reinforce ocean governance, towards achieving the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.

The Programme will provide thematic capacity assistance to mid-level ocean professionals who have solid backgrounds in ocean affairs, the law of the sea, and a demonstrated need for in-depth training in specific thematic areas.

It will also assist in the capacity building for Government officials from developing States, particularly Small Island Developing States, with limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea.

Through the Programme, training activities will also be conducted in the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction for individuals from developing countries.