Twenty-Sixth Meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP26) – Advancing Marine Ecosystem Restoration
From 22 June to 26 June 2026, OceanCare attended the twenty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea at the UN Headquarters in New York, dedicated to the topic of marine ecosystem restoration. The week brought together experts from around the world to share case studies and key examples of marine ecosystem restoration practices at the local, regional, and global levels.
Marine ecosystem restoration is a topic of critical importance to coastal protection, sustainable development, food security, and biodiversity. With several parallel initiatives occurring over the second half of 2026, including the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and preparations for the first Conference of the Parties to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, both countries and experts noted the timely discussions around marine ecosystem restoration and how the ICP could relate back to other intergovernmental processes in a coherent and efficient manner.
OceanCare calls on countries to advance ocean preservation
OceanCare was represented by Dr. Rebecca Helm and Matthew Carvalho of Georgetown University, where they delivered a statement calling on countries to advance robust and timely ocean preservation, as well as emphasizing the need to maintain a commitment to science-based efforts that are supported by research and monitoring.
Over the five days of ICP26, presenters discussed examples of marine ecosystem restoration ranging from practices by small island developing states to those of larger coastal states and regional alliances. International organisations also showcased their efforts to protect the ocean, calling for further international cooperation that propels scientific collaboration and accelerates capacity-building. Many of the presentations offered marine ecosystem restoration success stories that communities could implement as part of their local practice.
Looking to the future of ocean conservation, ICP26 offered a wealth of viewpoints and perspectives on how marine ecosystem restoration has supported the advancement of planetary well-being. The process maintains its role as a substantive forum to support sustainable ocean governance and to inform the work of the United Nations General Assembly over the next year.