In a week marked by growing uncertainty around global climate governance, a new alliance of ocean-focused nations has stepped into the diplomatic spotlight. The Ocean Pioneers – a coalition of states committed to advancing the multilateral ocean agenda – convened in Lisbon this week for its inaugural meeting, signalling a renewed push for high-ambition ocean action.

Ministers and senior representatives from Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Denmark, Fiji, France, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Panama, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Tuvalu attended, alongside observers. The meeting was hosted by the Oceano Azul Foundation, which serves as the coalition’s secretariat.

The Ocean Pioneers initiative was spearheaded in the wake of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice last year. It brings together countries that have ratified the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction – commonly known as the High Seas Treaty – and that have publicly backed a moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. 

The coalition remains open to additional states meeting those criteria.

United by a shared determination to safeguard the global ocean beyond fragmented regional approaches, the group seeks to coordinate science-driven multilateral action at the highest political level. The Lisbon gathering marked its first structured working session, supported by scientific and legal experts from across civil society.

Over three days of discussions, member states identified priority areas for collaboration aimed at strengthening ocean governance. Chief among them was accelerating universal ratification and robust implementation of the High Seas Treaty, which entered into force last month. Governments also committed to bolstering support for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, advancing the global 30×30 target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, and ensuring the ocean is fully integrated into upcoming climate and biodiversity negotiations – including the next climate pre-COP in the Pacific.

Formally convened by France, Panama and Tuvalu, the Lisbon meeting was the first time ministers, high-level representatives and Special Envoys from member states had gathered collectively under the Ocean Pioneers banner. The aim: to mobilise a broader circle of ocean champions around shared objectives at a pivotal moment for marine protection.

As secretariat, the Oceano Azul Foundation provides logistical, strategic and technical support to the coalition, drawing on its established role within the global marine community to help facilitate coordination among member states.

The coalition’s launch comes against a backdrop of renewed strain on multilateral cooperation, just as the High Seas Treaty approaches implementation. With geopolitical tensions threatening to stall environmental progress, the Ocean Pioneers present themselves as a stabilising force committed to maintaining ambition in ocean governance.

For Tiago Pitta e Cunha, CEO of Oceano Azul Foundation, the Lisbon meeting represents the beginning of a decisive year. “The Ocean Pioneers Coalition, a group of ocean-champion countries recently launched at the United Nations, held its first working meeting in Lisbon to set the roadmap for collective action in 2026. 

“The in-depth discussions covered fast-tracking robust implementation of the High Seas Treaty, building momentum on a global moratorium on deep-sea mining, and ensuring that the ocean is recognised as a critical element within climate negotiations. In a world where multilateralism is fading, this ‘coalition of the willing’ has laid down a new gauntlet towards inspiring needed action to improve ocean governance and protection.”

As momentum builds toward operationalising the High Seas Treaty, the Ocean Pioneers are positioning themselves as a vehicle for collective leadership at a decisive moment for ocean resilience. If Lisbon set the tone, the months ahead will test whether this new alliance can translate diplomatic intent into lasting protections for the global ocean.

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