UNDP Praises Mexico’s Sustainable Ocean Plan

The UN Development Program (UNDP) praised Mexico’s newly adopted National Policy for the Sustainable Management of Seas and Coasts, calling it a key step toward strengthening long-term ocean governance and aligning national action with global sustainability commitments. The policy, also called the “Sustainable Ocean Plan,” was published earlier this month in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) and replaces the framework adopted in 2018.

The plan sets out a long-term vision that aims to balance environmental protection with sustainable ocean-based production. Federal officials say the approach recognizes that ocean health is directly linked to biodiversity conservation, coastal livelihoods, economic development, and social well-being. The framework integrates national priorities such as sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, blue tourism, maritime transport, renewable ocean energy, and the conservation and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems. It also places an emphasis on strengthening ocean science, data generation, and knowledge-sharing to support evidence-based decision-making.

The policy outlines six core objectives. These include preserving, restoring, and sustainably managing marine and coastal ecosystems while strengthening protected areas and improving resilience to climate change. It also seeks to foster responsible ocean industries across sectors, integrate coastal ecosystems into national climate strategies with a focus on adaptation and blue carbon potential, and promote ocean literacy through community engagement and recognition of Mexico’s maritime heritage. Additional goals include reinforcing legal and administrative frameworks to improve enforcement and transparency, and mobilizing financial resources to support sustainable development and effective ocean management.

The Sustainable Ocean Plan aligns with Mexico’s National Development Plan 2025–2030, and establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management of 100% of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, covering 3.27 million km2. The plan also aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Developed by the Intersectoral Commission for the Management of Seas and Coasts (CIMARES), the plan was led by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and involved multiple federal agencies, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, Economy, and Tourism. Authorities say the policy is the result of over two years of technical and interinstitutional work, as well as a broad consultation process that brought together government entities, local communities, academic institutions, civil society, and private-sector stakeholders.

UNDP says the new framework builds on recent progress in Mexico’s ocean agenda and complements ongoing international cooperation. Among these efforts is Mexico’s early implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty, which the country ratified in 2025 and which will enter into force in January 2026. The treaty provides mechanisms for the creation of marine protected areas in international waters, equitable benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources, environmental impact assessments, and enhanced scientific cooperation.

The agency also highlights initiatives aimed at reducing marine pollution, including the Clean and Healthy Oceans project financed by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The project addresses pollution linked to chemical fertilizer use through a land-based and upstream watershed approach that has direct implications for ocean health.