The Nippon Foundation, in collaboration with Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, is set to host the inaugural Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo. The event will convene approximately 300 participants, including heads of state, ministers, senior officials from around 30 island nations, and representatives from United Nations agencies and other international bodies.
Island states are among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as sea level rise and ocean pollution. While these issues are often discussed in broader international frameworks, there is increasing recognition of the need for focused discussions on ocean-related challenges to inform concrete policymaking and implementation.
The summit, co-chaired by President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Palau, Yohei Sasakawa of The Nippon Foundation, and Vidar Helgesen of the IOC, will emphasize sustainable ocean planning and management. This approach offers a strategic framework for the sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources, aiming to strengthen the resilience of island states.
Held within the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the summit's outcomes are expected to contribute to global discussions on biodiversity, climate change, and ocean governance, including COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and COP31 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Nippon Foundation has a longstanding history of supporting island states, particularly in the Pacific region, through initiatives like the Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund. This summit is part of Japan's broader efforts to bolster maritime and economic partnerships with these nations.
The IOC, as the UN's lead body for ocean science, coordinates international efforts in ocean observations and services, aiming to transform ocean knowledge into actionable policies for sustainable development.
The summit will conclude with the announcement of a new initiative aimed at driving global-scale transformation and innovation in ocean management. This initiative is expected to significantly support island states worldwide, aligning with the IOC's mission to equip nations with the capacity to develop sustainable ocean plans.
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