Our Ocean Conference

The Government of Panama is hosting the eighth Our Ocean Conference in Panama City, Panama, March 2-3, 2023. The conference began in 2014 as a U.S. Department of State initiative to draw international attention to the serious threats facing the world’s ocean and to commit to concrete action around the globe to support marine conservation and sustainable development.

The 2023 Our Ocean Conference theme is “Our Ocean, Our Connection.”  For Our Ocean 2023, Panama has identified three cross-cutting areas of focus: sustainable tourism, ecological connectivity, and local solutions to marine pollution.  There will be six broad Areas of Action: promoting marine protected areas, fostering a sustainable blue economy, tackling the climate crisis, supporting maritime security, advancing sustainable fisheries, and combating marine pollution.

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will lead the U.S. delegation, which will include Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) Monica Medina.  Representatives from many parts of U.S. the government, civil society, and industry will also participate.  Once again, Conference participants will announce significant and meaningful commitments to take action on some of the most complex issues facing the ocean today.