Lisbon hosted the first working meeting of the international Ocean Pioneers coalition, bringing together member states and observers around a shared objective: strengthening ocean governance through concrete political commitments. Organized with the support of the French Embassy in Portugal, the gathering marks an important step in structuring coordinated ocean diplomacy at the intersection of climate, environmental, and geopolitical priorities.
Launched in September 2025 during the United Nations General Assembly — following momentum generated at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice — the coalition aims to serve as a platform for political alignment among countries committed to protecting the high seas. Seventeen members and observers participated in this inaugural working session, signaling growing international cooperation focused on implementation rather than declaration.
The coalition’s governance framework is built around a voluntary troika — France, Panama, and Tuvalu — tasked with facilitating diplomatic coordination and strategic dialogue among participating states. A secretariat currently being established in Lisbon, supported by the Oceano Azul Foundation, will provide operational backing to sustain the initiative.
Discussions resulted in three priorities formalized in the Lisbon Declaration: accelerating implementation of the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) ahead of its first Conference of the Parties; strengthening integration across ocean, climate, and biodiversity agendas; and affirming the precautionary principle in deliberations concerning deep-sea mining within the International Seabed Authority.
Working sessions were informed by contributions from leading international platforms representing broad coalitions of non-governmental organizations focused on high seas governance, marine ecosystem protection, and ocean–climate linkages. Their participation grounded the dialogue in scientific and operational realities.
The meeting was marked by strong political engagement, with seven ministers in attendance, including representatives from France, Portugal, Spain, Latin America, and Pacific nations. Several interventions emphasized the cultural and societal dimensions of ocean action, underscoring the importance of public engagement as a driver of long-term transformation.
The coalition’s next diplomatic milestone is scheduled for late March in New York, during the BBNJ Preparatory Commission meeting. Participants aim to broaden involvement — particularly from European and African countries — around two eligibility criteria: ratification of the BBNJ Agreement with a commitment to implementation, and support for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining.
Beyond formal statements, the Ocean Pioneers coalition positions itself as a practical laboratory for ocean diplomacy. The sense of shared responsibility highlighted by Tuvalu’s leadership reflects the coalition’s broader ambition: converting political momentum into durable outcomes for the protection of the ocean.
