The Ocean — Our Identity, Our Lifeline, Our Future

Photo Credit: Vincent Kneefel

“The ocean is not just our geography — it is our identity, our lifeline, and our future.”

As we head into the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), it's vital that the world sees oceans not merely as environmental concerns, but as the beating heart of our planet.

For Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable economies, oceans and the blue economy are not trendy talking points — they are the foundation of ecological stability and the most vital asset in national development. Most SIDS are large ocean states — custodians of vast marine ecosystems that absorb carbon, regulate climate, and support livelihoods. Yet paradoxically, these invaluable ecological assets remain largely invisible in global financial systems.

This must change.

If the 21st century is to be defined by resilience and sustainability, we must reimagine finance — not only to include nature, but to assign true and fair value to it. Nature must be treated as an asset class, where ecosystems are recognised not only for their intrinsic worth, but also for their measurable economic contribution. Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and healthy fisheries are not peripheral — they are productive assets critical to long-term development, climate adaptation, and economic sovereignty.

But unlocking the value of nature requires more than intention. It demands a new kind of institution — one that understands vulnerability, prioritizes equity, gives voice to the under-represented, and is built from the ground up with the priorities of SIDS and low-resilience economies in mind. This is the promise of the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP).

The DBRP is not just another multilateral bank. It is a response to structural failure — an institution designed to align mission-driven finance with climate, nature, and inclusion. It aims to enable countries to leverage natural capital, attract investment for nature-based solutions, and deliver financing mechanisms that are both accessible and fit for purpose.

To get there, we need a new kind of PPP:

• a Paradigm Shift in how we define value, assess risk, and deliver development outcomes.

• Policy frameworks that formally recognize nature as an economic asset and incentives its regeneration though preservation, restoration, and conservation.

• Partnerships that are grounded in mutual respect and co-creation of mission-oriented objectives.

  
  

UNOC3 must be more than a convening — it must be a catalyst. Let’s move from ocean pledges to ocean equity, from conservation-only narratives to prosperity through stewardship. For SIDS and other vulnerable countries, this is about dignity, resilience, and securing the future for generations who will inherit these waters.

The tide for transformation is rising. The world must be ready to sail with it. We can forge a new path — one where finance serves the ocean and the ocean serves humanity; a path that prioritizes regenerative over extractive economies, system-wide solutions over fragmented policies, and long-term resilience over short-term profits.

Co-Authored by Ashaki Goodwin and Gene Leon, Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity