During one full week in June 2017 (5-9 June 2017), the United Nations will devote special attention to the health of our oceans and seas by organizing a Conference dedicated to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. 

At the UN Conference to Support the Implementation of SDG 14 – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development – partnerships will play a crucial role. The theme of the Conference is set to “Our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14”.

During the week, governments, United Nations agencies, major groups and other stakeholders will gather to collectively identify ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14, build on existing successful partnerships, and stimulate innovative and concrete new partnerships to advance the implementation of this Goal.

The Conference will comprise of plenary meetings, seven partnership dialogues, and a special event commemorating World Oceans Day.

Only by mobilizing all stakeholders – governments, the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, private sector, philanthropic organizations – are we able to find ways to drive actions that are needed to conserve and protect our oceans and seas for future generations.

How to engage in this Conference

A two-day preparatory meeting for this Conference will be held in New York on 15-16 February 2017, where the themes of the seven partnership dialogues will be discussed, as well the elements for a “Call for Action” – the inter-governmentally agreed declaration of the Conference.

NGOs already in consultative status with ECOSOC

NGOs that enjoy consultative status with ECOSOC, previously accredited to either WSSD (2002), Rio+20 (2012), or the SIDS Conference (2014), may now pre-register to attend the two-day preparatory meeting in February at: http://bit.ly/SDG14ConfPrep_Reg

Don’t know if your organization is accredited? Search here: http://esango.un.org/civilsociety/login.do

Deadline: 22 January 2017

NGOs and organizations with no previous accreditation

Non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the scientific community who do not have any consultative status or previous special accreditation, but whose work is relevant to the Conference, may apply for a special conference accreditation at: http://bit.ly/SDG14ConfPrep_SA

Eligible private sector organizations and philanthropic institutions may apply for special accreditation for the Conference and the preparatory meeting through the UN Global Compact by emailing oceans@unglobalcompact.org to begin the registration.

Deadline: 22 January 2017