History of the GPO

The Global Partnership for Oceans was launched in 2012 as a new approach to restoring ocean health. It sought to mobilize finance and knowledge to activate proven solutions for the benefit of communities, countries and global well-being.

The GPO had over 150 partners representing governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and private sector interests committed to addressing the threats to the health, productivity and resilience of the ocean.

The Partnership aimed to tackle documented problems of overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss. Together these problems are contributing to the depletion of a natural resource bank that provides nutrition, livelihoods and vital ecosystem services.

Role of the World Bank

The World Bank hosted the GPO Secretariat until January 2015 and acted as a convener of a global network that brought greater attention to ocean health.