Third Edition of the UN–Portugal Ocean Fellowship Successfully Concludes in Lisbon

From 17 to 22 May, Lisbon hosted the third edition of the UN–Portugal Ocean Fellowship, a high-level capacity-sharing program Organized by the Government of Portugal trough Camões Institute for Cooperation and Development, together with UN DESA, and co-sponsored by Oceano Azul Foundation.

The fellowship is designed for senior government officials from some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, with a particular focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Over five intensive days, the Fellowship brought together a new cohort of participants, bringing the total number of fellows engaged through the program to 85. The initiative provided a unique platform for knowledge exchange and peer learning on key ocean-related issues, including Ocean Governance, Marine Conservation, the Sustainable Blue Economy, and Continental Shelf Governance.

The program featured contributions from internationally recognized experts and practitioners, combining high-level presentations with interactive discussions, and field visits. This dynamic format enabled participants to deepen their understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing ocean governance in the context of sustainable development and climate resilience.

Beyond strengthening technical knowledge and policy expertise, the Fellowship fostered the exchange of experiences among participants from diverse regions and backgrounds. The program also helped build lasting professional networks, creating opportunities for future collaboration and continued engagement on ocean-related issues at the national, regional, and global levels.

The continued success of the UN–Portugal Ocean Fellowship reflects Portugal’s commitment to advancing ocean literacy, capacity-sharing, and international cooperation in support of a healthy, sustainable, and resilient ocean for present and future generations.