From Coast to Coast: Celebrating 20 Years of Transboundary Management of Our Shared Oceans, was launched today during Oceans Day, being held on the sidelines of the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris.

A collaboration of the Global Environment Facility’s IW:LEARN project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health, the publication contains six chapters with results and innovations from over twenty GEF International Waters projects spanning a variety of investments on integrated coastal management, pollution reduction, sustainable fisheries, and safe shipping.

From Coast to Coast showcases the GEF international waters large marine ecosystem and coastal area management portfolio, particularly how it has contributed to:

1) improved global and regional cooperation (e.g. conventions, commissions) in addressing priority transboundary water issues; and

2) improved ecosystem health and services and human wellbeing by addressing particular trans-boundary concern and through improved governance at regional, national and local levels.

The publication highlights ocean successes from around the world, including:

• Establishment of the Benguela Current Commission, the world’s first intergovernmental, cross-sector large marine ecosystem commission, which is now fully financed by the three governments of Angola, Namibia and South Africa;
  
  
• Adoption of the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme by 31 ministers from 22 different countries, which sets 10 year priority actions for shared ocean governance in the region; and,
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• Adoption and implementation by 12 countries of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia, which fostered integrated coastal management for 14% of South East Asia’s 234,000 km coastline, benefiting over 146 million people.

“This publication highlights how GEF grant funding has been very effective in helping to transform key ocean sectors such as shipping, fisheries and coastal wastewater management, at global, regional and national scales, on a path towards sustainability.  UNDP is proud to have several of its GEF International Waters programmes highlighted in this volume.” said Andrew Hudson, Head of the UNDP Water & Ocean Governance Programme.