As the ocean faces increasing pressures — from climate change and overfishing to pollution and biodiversity loss — investing in sustainable, inclusive solutions has never been more urgent. Small Island Developing States (SIDS), whose livelihoods and cultures are deeply connected to the ocean, are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.
To support informed and effective decision-making, the Government of Portugal, Oceano Azul Foundation, and the United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs, annually co-organise a capacity-building programme anchored in the ambition of SDG14 (Life Below Water), bringing together ocean leaders from governments across the world to exchange experiences, deepen technical understanding and discuss common priorities to elevate the ocean across national and international fora.
This initiative responds toa call from the Member States themselves, who haveidentified the critical need for stronger global cooperation, more inclusive decision-making, and increased capacity of national delegations to navigate fast-evolving multilateral ocean processes, as they shape and implement solutions to protect and restore ocean health.
More than a capacity-building programme, the United Nations–Portugal OceanFellowship is aplatform for capacity sharing: knowledge flows in every direction-from speakers toparticipantsand, crucially, among the Fellows themselves.Senior officials arrive not only to learn but to contribute, drawing on one another’sexperience as much as onexpert input. Together,they rethink ocean governanceand the blue economy from a global south perspective, grounded in real-worldcomplexity, exploring the legal, political, and scientific tools to manage oceanresources, address rising challenges such assea-level rise, and implementinternational agreements like theBBNJ Agreement,in ways that drive nationalbenefit.
The United Nations – Portugal Ocean Fellowship is designed as a platform for capacity building and capacity sharing – grounded in expertise brought by each speaker – serving as a platform to rethink ocean governance and the blue economy from a global south perspective, grounded in real-world complexity. Participants explore the legal, political, and scientific tools available to manage ocean resources, address rising challenges such as sea-level rise, and implement international agreements like the High Seas (BBNJ) Treaty in ways that drive national benefit.
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Mike Sergeant
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Mike Sergeant
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
© Oceano Azul Foundation _ Pedro Pina
Annually, across more than 30 sessions, the Fellowship aims to promotedialogue, critical thinking, and action-oriented learning through peer exchange,taught sessions, case studies and field trips
Across three editions, the Fellowship brought together:
80+
Fellows
60+
Countries
(40% from SIDS)
70+
Expert and Faculty Engaged
90+
Taught Sessions
Participants from these editions report greater capacity to engage in negotiations, coordinate across ministries, and translate global frameworks into national practice.
Sessions promote dialogue, critical thinking, and hands-on learning through peer-to-peer exchange and real-world scenarios — helping participants connect science, law, and policy to local realities. This is learning for lasting impact: empowering ocean leaders to shape policy, steer sustainable growth, and protect the ocean for generations to come.
In 2025, the Fellowship was awarded 3rd place in the Environment Category of theSIDS Partnerships Awards-a distinction selected by SIDS representativesthemselves and attributed by the United Nations to collaborative initiatives thatexcel in advancing sustainable development across Small Island DevelopingStates. Coming from the very community the programmewas created to serve, thisrecognition affirms the Fellowship’s impact and its standing as a credible, long-term platform for ocean governance capacity building and sharing.
The Fellowship is envisioned to continue to take place annually, in Lisbon, until 2030.
For more information about the programme: 3rd Edition Concept Note.
Partners
