{"id":25654,"date":"2023-08-29T09:04:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T13:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/uci\/?p=25654"},"modified":"2023-08-29T09:22:23","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T13:22:23","slug":"urban-coast-institute-and-global-ocean-forum-form-partnership-on-ocean-policy-research-and-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/uci\/2023\/08\/29\/urban-coast-institute-and-global-ocean-forum-form-partnership-on-ocean-policy-research-and-initiatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Urban Coast Institute and Global Ocean Forum Form Partnership on Ocean Policy Research and Initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) and the Global Ocean Forum<\/a> (GOF) have entered a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to leverage their expertise and resources to advance global ocean policy and research initiatives that mutually align with their missions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formed in 2001, the GOF is an international, independent nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting good governance of the ocean, sustainable development for coastal and island peoples around the globe, and healthy marine ecosystems. The GOF brings together ocean leaders from all sectors to advance a global ocean agenda by promoting the implementation of international agreements related to the ocean, coasts, and small island developing states; promoting consensus-building on unresolved ocean issues, including ocean and climate issues, and improving the governance regime for ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction; and anticipating new ocean issues to facilitate forward-thinking policymaking and governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UCI and GOF have collaborated on several initiatives, most recently co-organizing and participating  in side events at last summer\u2019s United Nations Ocean Conference<\/a> in Lisbon and December\u2019s U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) <\/a>in Eqypt. UCI Director Tony MacDonald has served as a member of the GOF\u2019s Policy Advisory Board, and is currently a member of its Board of Directors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a member of the U.S. National Committee for the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development<\/a>, hosted by the National Academy of Sciences Ocean Studies Board, I am acutely aware that the challenges facing the oceans off the coast of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic are similar to those facing other regional urban seas around the world, and in some cases it will take international commitments to reduce the impact of claims on oceans and to protect biodiversity and ecosystem health,\u201d MacDonald said. \u201cI hope that through our collaboration with the GOF, we can add our voice to the call to action to protect the ocean and bring some of the lessons learned from our work at the UCI,  as well as learn from what others are doing around the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GOF MOA recognized Monmouth\u2019s value as a partner, citing the UCI\u2019s focus on integrated coastal and ocean management and regional ocean planning, as well as the University\u2019s proximity to the U.N. headquarters in New York City and its active U.N. partnerships, including its United Nation Academic Impact membership, the UCI\u2019s official observer status at UNFCCC conference, and the School of Social Work\u2019s collaboration through the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Social Work at the United Nations Initiative<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Global Ocean Forum has benefited from the support of a host institution since its inception. Through a strengthened partnership with the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute, the GOF has found its new home,\u201d Global Ocean Forum Executive Director Miriam Balgos said. \u201cThis collaboration will provide a strong, science-based foundation ensuring that the GOF remains grounded while responding to the needs of developing countries and stakeholders it continues to serve across various international fora.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement paves the way for future collaborations including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n