The case studies summarized in this document illustrate practical experiences of cross-sectoral cooperation for effective implementation of SDG 14 and other ocean-relevant SDGs.
The Regional Seas Programme was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) in 1974. From its initial mandate to reduce pollution, the Regional Seas Programme has evolved over the last four decades to cover regular monitoring and assessment, land-based and sea-based sources of pollution, Specially Protected Areas and biodiversity, oil spill contingency/recovery plans, coastal habitat management, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, marine litter, and legal and institutional frameworks. Currently, the UN Environment Regional Seas Programme coordinates 18 regions, with more than 146 participating countries; of these, 14 Regional Seas programmes were established under the auspices of UN Environment: for the Black Sea; the Wider Caribbean; the East Asian Seas; East Africa; the South Asian Seas; the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Sea Area; the Mediterranean; the NorthEast Pacific; the North-West Pacific; the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden; the South-East Pacific; the Pacific; West, Central and Southern Africa; and the Caspian. Seven of these programmes are directly administered by UN Environment. The partner programmes for the Antarctic, Arctic, Baltic Sea and North-East Atlantic Regions are also members of the Regional Seas Programme and participate in a global exchange of lessons and information.
