Niël Terblanché
Namibia is poised to make history as it will for the first time ever host the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) representatives, known as Sherpas while the world struggles to find solutions to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing.
The event in Walvis Bay starts today and it will also be the first time the gathering of the Sherpas will take place on African soil.
The Ocean Panel, established in 2018, comprises 19 world leaders committed to sustainably managing 100% of the ocean areas under national jurisdiction. Representing countries from six continents, the panel accounts for 50% of global coastlines, 21% of global fisheries, 23% of the world’s shipping fleet, and 45% of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones.
According to Annely Haiphene, the executive director of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Namibia’s delegation will be led by the minister of fisheries and marine resources, Derek Klazen, who will stand in as Sherpa for President Nangolo Mbumba.
“These Sherpa meetings provide a critical platform for advancing sustainable practices and policies for ocean management. Namibia stands to benefit immensely from these interactions as we deepen our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems,” she said.
The three-day session will include in-depth discussions and collaborative engagements among global leaders, experts, and stakeholders.
The agenda is set to focus on enhancing ocean knowledge, promoting scientific inquiry, and formulating actionable strategies to ensure effective protection, sustainable production, and equitable prosperity.
Discussions will also shape the Ocean Panel’s strategic priorities for 2025 and its contributions to the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, scheduled for June 2025.
Namibia’s role in hosting this event stresses its growing leadership in the global push for a sustainable ocean economy.
The Ocean Panel, co-chaired by Norway and Palau, includes members such as Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Portugal, Seychelles, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the United Arab Emirates.
“This gathering symbolizes our collective commitment to fostering innovative and collaborative solutions to safeguard our oceans for future generations,” she said.
Haiphene added that Namibia’s leadership in hosting this meeting reflects its dedication to addressing critical oceanic challenges and contributing to the global vision of a sustainable ocean economy.
