Ocean Accounts Exchange - Building a Blueprint for Action

24-27 March 2025 | San José, Costa Rica

This event has now passed

Background & objectives

Hosted by Costa Rica’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment and Energy, Costa Rican Council of Environmental Accounts, and the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership, with support from the UK government’s Blue Planet Fund, the event convened over 100 government representatives, key international organisations, finance bodies, relevant NGOs and global leaders committed to ocean sustainable development from 28 countries.

As a Co-Chair of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), Costa Rica aims to build a global coalition of nations committed to innovative marine resource management through ocean accounting. In their pathway towards this, on World Oceans Day 2024, the country announced their own ambition to develop their first fully integrated environmental and economic ocean account by 2030, and to host this event, which will bring together global experts, government representatives, development banks, donors, policy makers and organizations to advance ocean accounting practices, mobilise support, and inspire international commitments ahead of the UNOC 3.

The event:

1. Inspired international action: participants shared experiences and lessons to encourage countries to adopt ocean accounting as a tool for sustainable ocean management, and support Costa Rica’s commitment to ocean accounting at UNOC3 in Nice, France in June 2025.
2. Secured global commitments: discussions were held around mobilising financial and technical support from donors, philanthropists, and technical organisations to advance ocean accounting efforts, with significant commitments to be announced at UNOC 3.
3. Developed a comprehensive implementation plan: in collaboration with experts, world leaders, and technical organisations, participants outlined the steps required for Costa Rica to achieve its national ocean accounting ambition by 2030.

The Joint Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030

Joint Declaration - Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts

In an important step towards strengthening sustainable ocean governance, representatives from eight nations and one regional convention have formally signed The Joint Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030 at the Ocean Accounts Exchange in Costa Rica. This commitment highlights the increasing recognition of ocean accounting as a transformative tool for guiding sustainable development, ensuring that marine ecosystems and economies are valued, measured, and managed effectively.

The Pledge was signed on 27 March 2025 by Costa Rica, Maldives, Canada, Antigua and Barbuda, Mexico, Fiji, Vietnam’s Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE), with Togo and the OSPAR Commission signing in absentia. Additionally, Panama, Ecuador, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Belmont Forum, delivered strong statements of support, further signaling ocean accounting as a fundamental tool for sustainable ocean governance.

By signing The Pledge, these nations and institutions have demonstrated global leadership in their commitment to informed decision-making that recognises the true value of marine and coastal ecosystems, supporting sustainable development and long-term ocean stewardship. This voluntary commitment not only strengthens international collaboration but also emphasizes the need for growing ambition in ocean accounting to be matched with increased technical and financial support, ensuring that nations have the necessary tools and capacity to implement ocean accounts effectively.

The timing of The Pledge is critical as nations prepare for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) in Nice, France this June, where accelerating action for ocean conservation and sustainable use will be central.

The Joint Pledge remains open for additional signatories until UNOC 3 in June 2025. The Costa Rican government calls on other nations to join this global coalition and strengthen the collective ambition for data-driven decision making to inform sustainable ocean development.

If your country, institution or regional convention is interested in signing The Joint Pledge or providing a statement of support, please contact the GOAP Secretariat at info@oceanaccounts.org

Representatives from eight countries and one regional convention sign The Joint Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030 on 27 March 2025.