The programme covers 18 regions, most of which have adopted a regional action plan underpinned by a legal framework in the form of a regional convention and associated protocols on specific issues referred to as Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs). Over 50 thematic protocols on:
- Pollution, chemicals and waste
- Biodiversity & ecosystems
- Climate change
- Integrated ocean governance
- etc
have been developed since the programme was launched.
To date, UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme consists of three types of Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, across 18 different regions. The Ecosystems Division administers six Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans whilst the Regional Office for Europe administers the Tehran Convention (Caspian Sea).
- UNEP-administered– These RSCAP have been established and are directly administered by UNEP. Secretariat functions, managing of finances and technical assistance are all provided by UNEP. These are: Caribbean Region, East Asian Seas Region, Eastern Africa Region, Mediterranean Region, North-West Pacific Region, Western Africa Region, Caspian Sea
- Non-UNEP administered– These RSCAP have been established under the auspices of UNEP, but another regional body provides the Secretariat and administrative functions. These are: Black Sea Region, North-East Pacific Region, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, ROPME Sea Area, South Asian Seas, South-East Pacific Region, Pacific Region
- Independent – These RSCAP have not been established by UNEP but cooperate with the Regional Seas Programme and attend regular meetings. These are: Arctic Region, Antarctic Region, Baltic Sea, North-East Atlantic Region
Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs)
The Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans provide inter-governmental frameworks to address the degradation of the oceans and seas at a regional level, initially focusing on pollution at sea, such as oil spills and movement of hazardous waste, as well as land-based sources of pollution, for example plastics, wastewater and excess nutrients. Now, many have embraced the ecosystems approach to managing marine resources and have protocols on protected areas, marine litter, combating oil spills, pollution from ships, transboundary movement of waste including their disposal, integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) and land-based sources of pollution (LBS) through which disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, biodiversity loss, pollution reduction and sustainable consumption and production issues are being addressed. The focus is on promoting regional oceans governance to deliver the global oceans agenda and respond to emerging issues, new policies and initiatives such BBNJ, GBF, Plastics, Offshore wind farms, Sustainable Port development and Blue Economy.
The Regional Seas and their governance processes, with regular meetings of the governing bodies (Conference of Parties (CoPs), Inter-governmental Meetings (IGMs), senior officials as well as technical bodies (such as thematic working groups), contribute to strengthening UNEP’s strategic regional presence, propelling the work of UNEP towards regional and global consensus and policy coherence on key issues relating to the environmental dimension of sustainable development, as envisaged in the UNEP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2022-2025.
UNEA resolutions
At UNEA-6 (2024), resolution 6/15. Strengthening ocean efforts to tackle climate change, marine biodiversity loss and pollution resolution reinforced the central role of the UNEP Regional Seas Programme (RSP) in addressing the "triple planetary crisis" of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. This milestone coincided with the RSP’s 50th anniversary, where discussions emphasized strengthening ocean governance frameworks for sustainable and inclusive management of marine ecosystems. The resolution urged nations to enhance cooperation within the regional seas framework, integrating climate action, marine biodiversity protection, and pollution control strategies. Member states also highlighted the role of RSP in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNEA Resolution 5/14, End Plastic Pollution: Towards an International Legally Binding Instrument, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, full life-cycle approach to tackle plastic pollution, including its transboundary impacts on marine environments. It underscores the importance of cooperation and complementarity among regional and international conventions, such as the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The resolution highlights the role that regional frameworks, including the Regional Seas Programme (RSP), can play in promoting cooperative measures to reduce marine plastic pollution, addressing existing pollution, and supporting the development and implementation of the proposed legally binding instrument. The RSP can align its efforts with national circumstances and global principles, contributing to reducing the environmental and human health risks associated with plastic pollution.
UNEA 2/10 on Oceans and seas, recognized the role of the Regional Seas Programme (RSP) in promoting marine biodiversity conservation through area-based management measures, such as marine protected areas, and supporting the application of the ecosystem approach, including through tools like marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management. The resolution highlights the RSP’s contribution to the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of ocean-related targets under frameworks such as Sustainable Development Goal 14, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, and the 2030 Agenda. Furthermore, it calls for strengthened cooperation, sharing of best practices, and strategic guidance among regional seas conventions and action plans to foster progress across geographical regions in line with the Regional Seas Strategic Directions.
Regional Seas Strategic Directions
The Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs) aim to connect regional activities with global processes through the strategic directions, strengthening the Regional Seas Programme at the global level in response to global agendas such as GBF, BBNJ, SDGs etc. The Regional Seas Strategic Directions provide high-level priorities for regions to take into consideration when developing strategies and workplans, aligning regional activities with ongoing global processes such as GBF, BBNJ, SDGs etc. and encouraging consistent approaches across all regions.
The strategic directions are aimed at strengthening the Regional Seas Programme (RSP) at the global level and are intended to complement the implementation of the programmes of work of the individual Regional Seas, as well as the decisions of the governing bodies of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Programmes. They provide an opportunity to improve efficiency both individually and collectively within the RSPs, increase greater cooperation, and incorporate new elements into future programmes of work.
The strategic directions priorities are packaged under key themes that capture the essence and ambition of the programme and are influenced by emerging issues, different regional contexts, the UNEP midterm strategies and global agendas.
Since 2004, the Regional Seas programmes have formulated collective Regional Seas Strategic Directions (RSSD) that lasted for four years. The 2022 - 2025 RSSD complements the previously adapted Strategic Directions (2004-2007, 2008-2012, 2013-2016, 2017-2020 ).
The individual Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans have both a normative and implementation mandate. They provide an expression of common regional priorities, including those in the delivery of global mandates such as the 2030 Agenda, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a legally binding instrument on plastics pollution including in the marine environment, Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), provisions of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolutions. They also provide platforms for taking action, including through integrated assessments, policy development, capacity building and exchange, as well as through implementation of projects.
Why It Matters:
The ocean is essential for life on Earth, providing critical ecosystem services, regulating the climate, and supporting the global economy. However, oceans are facing growing threats from pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. Protecting and managing the ocean sustainably is vital for safeguarding biodiversity, ensuring food security, and fostering economic development.
What We Do:
- Ocean Governance: The Regional Seas Programme promotes inclusive and coherent ocean governance, integrating science, policy, partnerships, gender, and youth to address marine conservation and sustainable use. Each region collaborates with stakeholders to develop frameworks that protect biodiversity, promote sustainable livelihoods, and foster regional cooperation. For instance, the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) focuses on pollution reduction, while the Western Indian Ocean (Nairobi Convention) enhances marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management.
- Pollution: UNEP tackles pollution from both land and sea-based sources including plastic pollution through region-specific protocols and strategies. The Mediterranean's Land-Based Sources Protocol addresses industrial and municipal waste, while the Wider Caribbean's Oil Spill Protocol focuses on preventing and responding to marine pollution incidents. Efforts under the Baltic Sea Action Plan combat nutrient pollution and hazardous substances, promoting cleaner oceans and coastal environments.
- Climate Change: The Regional Seas Programme plays a leading role in building climate resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation strategies. In the Mediterranean, the Climate Change Adaptation Framework supports nations in mitigating the impacts of sea-level rise and ocean acidification, while the Nairobi Convention promotes adaptive management in the Western Indian Ocean to address extreme weather events and coastal erosion.
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems: UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme supports marine biodiversity conservation by implementing area-based planning and restoration of critical habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. Protocols under the Barcelona and Cartagena Conventions establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and address the conservation of vulnerable species.
- Capacity Building: Capacity building is integral to the Programme’s success, equipping countries with the skills and resources needed to manage their marine environments. UNEP provides training on marine spatial planning, pollution monitoring, and biodiversity conservation, while also fostering knowledge-sharing through reports, webinars, and data management initiatives.
- Sustainable Blue Economy: The Programme fosters sustainable ocean economies by balancing economic growth with marine conservation. Regional initiatives like the Caribbean Sustainable Ocean-Based Economy Strategy and the Mediterranean Blue Economy Stakeholder Platform support the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic development while protecting marine ecosystems.
Linkages to global agendas on ocean governance (Fourth level)
The RSP through its 18 regional Conventions and Action plans supports member states to identify and implement regional priorities in the international policies and legal frameworks relevant to marine and coastal environment, adopted at the global and regional level, including by global MEAs. Examples include:
1. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework : Adopted in December 2022 at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the GBF aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The Framework supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and builds on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD’s) previous Strategic Plans, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets for 2011 - 2020, to set an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Among the Framework’s key elements are four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, which are all relevant to sustainable ocean management.
Several Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans have on-going work on strengthening governance of marine biodiversity, promoting restoration of degraded marine and coastal ecosystems, and supporting application of tools for integrated and effective management. For example, 8 Conventions have adopted protocols on marine and coastal biodiversity including Barcelona Convention, Nairobi Convention, Lima Convention, Cartagena Convention, Bucharest Convention, Tehran Convention, Jeddah Convention.
2. Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) : In an effort to halt unsustainable use of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction , the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) developed an international legally binding instrument on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) in 2015, under the framework of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Regional Seas Programme offers an enabling environment for the implementation of Part XII of UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want.” In its resolution 2/10, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) encouraged parties to regional seas to consider the possibility of increasing the regional coverage to their instruments in line with international law.
The member states re-iterated their commitment by adopting resolution UNEA 6/15 which encourages member states as appropriate to consider signing and ratifying the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction at the earliest possible date; and requested UNEP’s Executive Director to provide assistance within the scope of UNEP’s mandate to DOALOS as the interim Secretariat of the Agreement, to promote better understanding of the Agreement.
To date, seven Regional Seas Conventions (Abidjan, Barcelona, Nairobi, CCAMLR, Lima, SPREP and OSPAR Conventions) have legal mandates for work in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), whilst others are exploring opportunities for ABNJ. The Agreement was adopted in New York on 19 June 2023 during the resumed fifth session of the Intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.
4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) : The Regional Seas Programme provide a unique institutional framework that facilitate progress towards the attainment of ocean-related SDG targets. Regional seas conventions and action plans together with their strategies, objectives and targets have been aligned to SDGs. As such, the programmes support member states to implement and monitor SDGs relevant to marine and coastal environment. In 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly acknowledged the unique role of the regional sea’s conventions and action plans in the implementation and reporting of the SDG 14 and other ocean related SDG targets in partnership with other regional organizations like regional fishery bodies.
5. The Paris Agreement: The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP 21 - Twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) convened in December 2015, Paris, France, and came into force November 2016. The goal of the treaty is to keep the global temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius this century and pursue efforts to limit further temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement also state the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, including the oceans. Four Regional Seas Conventions have legally binding protocols to reduce carbon emission resulting from offshore oil and gas exploration and mining. Several other regions have established voluntary measures to assist member states to achieve the Paris agreement target.
6. United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030): The Decade of Ocean Science is interlinked to the Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly, SDG 14 among other ocean-related goals and targets. Led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the initiative offers a framework to strengthen connections and weave partnerships between all communities working to study, conserve and sustainably use the ocean and its resources. The decade will kick-off in June 2021, in an event hosted by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany in Berlin. The Regional Seas Programme institutional framework support implementation of majority of ocean-related initiatives. Scientific research is embedded in regional seas work, and it is anticipated that regional seas will play a major role in the delivery of the decade of ocean science. Regional seas identify and respond to gaps in data and information, undertake periodic assessments on the status of marine and coastal environment, and enhance technical capacities of their member states. The Decade of Ocean Science offers an opportunity for regional seas to work collaboratively with other stakeholders in ocean research to bridge the marine science-policy gaps.
7. United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030): The Decade on Ecosystem Restoration was proclaimed by the UN Environment Assembly in March 2019 to halt the degradation of ecosystems and scale up the restoration of degraded or destroyed ecosystems to achieve global goals. The Decade will be led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Decade will be officially launch with World Environment Day 2021 – 5 June. For more than 45 years, the Regional Seas Programme has been working towards protection of oceans and their resources, as well as the restoration destroyed ecosystems i.e. seagrasses, mangroves and corals. Regional seas include mechanisms for promoting restoration of the coastal ecosystem (including development of restoration guidelines, knowledge hubs for sharing experience and best practices) which will be useful in the achievement of the decade.
The Regional Seas Programme works cooperatively with a wide array of stakeholders and partners including Governments, financial institutions, regional and international organisations, academic and research institutions, private sector, civil sector, as well as other relevant United Nations agencies.
To strengthen cooperation, a number of Regional Seas have formalised partnerships with some entities including Regional fisheries bodies and international organisations. Read more on regional seas partners by clicking here
