$51.7 million pledge for high seas marine protection
At the COP16 UN Biodiversity Conference, a group of philanthropic organisations announced a groundbreaking $51.7 million commitment to accelerate the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) across the high seas. This initiative targets the ambitious goal of expanding MPA coverage from less than 2% of international waters to 30% by 2030, safeguarding vital marine ecosystems and addressing urgent climate and biodiversity crises.
The funding commitment will support projects focused on creating new MPAs, advancing scientific research, and fostering international partnerships to protect the most vulnerable areas of the high seas. These waters, beyond any national jurisdiction, play a crucial role in supporting global biodiversity, regulating climate, and sustaining marine life. But they remain largely unprotected and under threat from overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change impacts.
Becht Foundation is honoured to join Arcadia, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Blue Action Fund, Blue Nature Alliance, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Oceans 5, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Schmidt Ocean Institute, and Vere Initiatives in this collective effort to safeguard the future of the ocean and the biodiversity it sustains.
