NextBillion - A WDI Publication

Description

Asia and the Pacific is a global epicenter of marine biodiversity, spanning diverse and interconnected ocean and coastal ecosystems. Globally, the ocean economy generates an estimated $2–$3 trillion annually, supporting jobs, food security, trade, and tourism. Drawing on the Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2025: Unlocking Nature for Development, this webinar examines how ocean degradation and climate change are increasingly reflected in public finances. The loss of coral reefs and mangroves translates into higher disaster recovery costs, reduced coastal tourism revenues, and rising social protection spending. These impacts are not merely environmental – they are fiscal pressures requiring policy response. The webinar will also explore financing solutions that mobilize resources and strengthen incentives for conservation. The global blue bond market has expanded rapidly, helping attract private capital, improve fiscal terms, and support marine protection. Debt-for-nature swaps are likewise gaining traction as instruments to ease sovereign debt burdens while financing environmental investments. Positioning ocean conservation as an economic development strategy can enhance resilience, strengthen competitiveness, and secure long-term prosperity.

Objectives

Webinar attendees will have the chance to engage with the speakers and:

• Examine how to embed ocean health into public financial management, budgeting, and medium-term development strategies.
• Explore innovative instruments that can mobilize resources, attract private capital, and strengthen incentives for marine conservation.
• Discuss practical examples from the region on managing marine resources, mobilizing finance, and aligning conservation with development priorities.

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM (GMT+8) / 1:00 AM ET