Delegates to a global conference on saving the world’s oceans pledged $19 billion, the host country Panama said.  

The total included a $6 billion commitment from the United States, announced on Thursday by White House climate envoy John Kerry. Panamanian deputy foreign minister Yill del Carmen Otero announced the total pledge figure at the two-day Our Ocean Conference before details emerged about the make up of specific offers.

The US package features 77 projects to protect the high seas in 2023. Almost $5 billion of that will be dedicated to combatting climate change, the US Embassy in Panama said in a statement.

Another $665 million has been assigned for sustainable fishing, more than $200 million to fund programs combatting pollution, $73 million for blue economy programs, $72 million to maritime security and $11 million for protected areas.

On Thursday, the European Union announced it would dedicate 816.5 million euros ($865 million) to ocean-related projects this year.

A large slice of the EU money – 320 million euros – would go towards research to protect marine biodiversity and address the impacts of climate change on the seas, while another 250 million euros would help launch the Sentinel-1C satellite to observe ice melt and monitor climate change effects.

UK Pledges

At the conference the UK has renewed support through its £500 million Blue Planet Fund to protect and restore important marine habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses. This includes an additional £24 million to the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, and the UK becoming the first donor to the Blue Carbon Action Partnership, committing £4 million to support countries unlock and mobilise finance to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems.

The UK Environment Secretary has also announced £45 million to the new ‘Blue Tech Superhighway’ project.

Delegates at the conference do not adopt agreements but rather announce voluntary commitments to ocean protection. It also serves as a public stage for governments to show their political will.

Further information can be read here: France24, EurActiv, Reuters, European Commission and Defra.