The NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node and the United Nations Global Compact are proudly co-convening the Ocean20 South African (O20SA) under the G20 South African Presidency with the theme:
Uniting for Ocean Sustainability: Advancing Cooperative Innovation and Partnerships.
Debuting under the Brazilian presidency of the G20 in 2024, Ocean 20 comes as a natural offshoot of the efforts led by the previous cycles, spearheaded by Indonesia (2022) and India (2023). Its inauguration in Brazil played a historic role in recognising the ocean on global agendas and engaging civil society.
The creation of Ocean 20 by the Brazilian presidency of the G20 was a historic milestone in recognising the central role of the ocean in the global climate, energy and environment agendas and that, despite being a global and interconnected ocean, it is plural in its characteristics.
Ocean 20 plays an important role in giving civil society, industry and business a voice on the issue of a sustainable ocean for South(ern) Africa (considering non-governmental organisations, private initiative, indigenous peoples, traditional communities and scientists). The group strengthens and consolidates the presence of the ocean in the G20.
The Ocean20 (O20) logo was designed using the blue colour of the G20 logo to symbolise the ocean, but also the atmosphere above. The “O” is shaped like a wave, representing the power of the ocean, its influence on our coastal ecosystems, livelihoods and weather forecast systems. Finally, the King Protea of the G20 logo was kept to represent not only the link to the G20 South Africa theme around solidarity, equality and sustainability – all of which are critical in developing an ocean system around South Africa that benefits its people and ensures a healthy ocean – but also the role the ocean plays in nurturing the climate in which a unique ecosystem such as fynbos and proteas can thrive.
For further details, please contact: ocean20sa@saeon.nrf.ac.za
