The Commonwealth Secretary-General is urginggovernments to ensure their countries' post-COVIDeconomic recoveries are environmentally sustainable and safe for the ocean.

Forty-seven of the Commonwealth's 54 member countries have a coastline while 25 are either small island developing states or'big ocean states'relying heavily on the ocean for food and income.

On World Oceans Day (8 June), Secretary-General Patricia Scotland calls on countries to reform development strategies in a way that supports vibrant and sustainableblueand greeneconomies.

She said: "Theocean is the life blood of so manyCommonwealthcountriesand our environment should be the cornerstone as we put plans in place to recover our economies.The Commonwealthcoversmore than a third of coastal oceans in the world, contributing to a global ocean-based economyvalued atUS$3to6 trillionperyear.

"COVID-19 impact has radically altered some of our key economic sectors and transformed the way we live, communicate and do business.Whilethe fallout from the pandemichashad a huge impact on our blue economies, it also presents a crucial opportunity tostrategise on how to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable economic practices built on climate resilienceand oceansustainability.

"The Commonwealth Blue Charter isone of the most effective platforms for global ocean action in the international landscape today.Icommend the work of ourmembercountriesthrough theaction groups and welcomethe support we have received fromnational, regional and global partners,enabling us tomobilise togetherfor ocean health."

The Blue Charter is the Commonwealth's commitmentto work together to protect the oceanand meet globaloceancommitments.Tenaction groups, led by 13 champion countries,are driving the flagship initiative. More than 40 countries have signed up to one or more of these action groups, and counting.

Commonwealth Blue Charter action groups include: Sustainable Aquaculture (led by Cyprus), Sustainable Blue Economy (Kenya), Coral Reef Protection and Restoration (Australia, Belize, Mauritius), Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods (Sri Lanka), Ocean Acidification (New Zealand), Ocean and Climate Change (Fiji), Ocean Observations (Canada), Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance (marine plastic pollution - United Kingdom, Vanuatu), Marine Protected Areas (Seychelles) and Sustainable Coastal Fisheries (Kiribati) .

Members of the private sector, academia and civil society– including Vulcan Inc, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, NektonFoundationand many others – are also engaged as partners.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Commonwealth Secretariat.