At Climate Week NYC 2026, Mission Blue and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) launched a promising partnership aimed at scaling locally led ocean conservation. By linking Mission Blue’s global network of ecologically vital Hope Spots with IUCN’s regenerative seascape strategies, this alliance seeks to amplify community-driven action for healthier oceans.
- Connects Hope Spots with larger regenerative seascapes
- Supports sustainable blue economy and local ocean leadership
- Promotes global cooperation for ocean conservation
What happened
In September 2026, Mission Blue and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced their collaboration to advance the One Ocean Partnership. This initiative aims to strengthen locally led ocean conservation by uniting coastal leaders with the scientific knowledge, partnerships, and financing necessary to protect and restore marine ecosystems effectively. The partnership was publicly introduced during Climate Week in New York City by Dr. Sylvia Earle, the founder of Mission Blue, and Razan Al Mubarak, President of IUCN.
The partnership brings together Mission Blue’s worldwide network of Hope Spots—critical marine areas championed by local communities—with IUCN’s Great Blue Wall regenerative seascape approach. By aligning these efforts, they intend to create a powerful network that turns local conservation actions into scalable and lasting ocean recovery strategies across regions.
Why it feels good
This collaboration symbolizes a hopeful step toward protecting the ocean, a vital resource covering over 70% of our planet and essential for climate regulation, food security, and economic livelihoods for billions worldwide. By highlighting the importance of local leadership combined with global expertise, the partnership offers communities recognition and tangible support to safeguard their coastal waters.
The initiative embraces a regenerative blue economy model, which prioritizes restoring marine ecosystems while creating sustainable jobs and resilient coastal economies. It offers a vision in which economic growth aligns with environmental stewardship—a balance that instills optimism for the future health of the ocean and the people who depend on it.
What to enjoy or watch next
Keep an eye on how the One Ocean Partnership develops projects that link individual Hope Spots to larger regional seascapes, fostering collaboration among countries and communities. The approach is expected to generate impactful success stories of ocean recovery driven by local champions sharing knowledge across borders.
Future updates may highlight advances in sustainable marine enterprises and investments supporting the regenerative blue economy. These will showcase how protecting the ocean can also support innovation, livelihoods, and long-term prosperity. Watching this partnership’s progress will be inspiring for anyone interested in practical, community-based solutions to global environmental challenges.