Trade and environment review 2023: building a sustainable and resilient ocean economy beyond 2030

The report addresses the current and emerging crosscutting role of the ocean in advancing economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. The review builds on the discussions and outcomes of the 4th United Nations Oceans Forum on trade-related aspects of SDG 14, life below water, which took place in Geneva from 6 to 8 April 2022. The report examined several key and emerging topics for the ocean economy, including the seaweed sector as a lever for a sustainable economic recovery; fisheries subsidies and non-tariff measures (NTMs); the decarbonisation of shipping and maritime supply chains; and plastic litter and other ocean waste challenges. It explored these issues, identified the main opportunities and challenges and concluded by offering a bottom-up menu of action-oriented policy recommendations for Small Island Developing States (SIDs) and coastal developing countries. It calls for a “Blue Deal” on trade and finance to accelerate the implementation of SDG14 and identify practical yet far reaching development paths towards a sustainable, resilient and inclusive ocean economy by 2030 and beyond.