From Kingston to the World: Why The Case for a Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium Is Stronger than Ever
- Deep Sea & Seabed Mining
Climate Week in New York City, United States, is one of the world’s largest annual climate gatherings, taking place alongside the UN General Assembly and bringing together governments, civil society, business, philanthropy and international organizations. It has become an important moment for announcing commitments, shaping agendas, mobilizing finance and building partnerships ahead of COP.
For RISE UP, Climate Week provides a strategic opportunity to bring the ocean into wider climate discussions, strengthen relationships with key actors and advance priorities ahead of COP31.
We’ll be there to make sure the ocean-climate nexus isn’t an afterthought and to ensure the priorities of coastal and frontline communities are heard in rooms where policy, finance and partnerships take shape.
Through our Climate Week agenda, we’re creating space for governments, partners and local organizations to demonstrate leadership, strengthen their commitments and form alliances; while using our platform to put frontline voices and solutions directly in front of decision-makers. At the same time, we’re investing in the relationships that make this work vital and focusing on building RISE UP’s role as the global ocean network that connects community priorities to global ocean and climate action.
Monday 21 September, 12:00 – 2:00 PM
As momentum builds towards UNFCCC COP31 in Antalya, New York Climate Week will be a key moment for advancing the ocean and climate agenda ahead of the UNFCCC climate negotiations. This year’s COP31 mascot, Caretta caretta the loggerhead sea turtle, symbolizes the strong connections between climate action, biodiversity and healthy oceans, reinforcing the need to keep the ocean at the heart of climate discussions.
RISE UP for the Ocean and Peace Boat US are hosting their annual High-Level Luncheon at 777 United Nations Plaza, New York City, bringing together ocean and climate leaders, governments, community representatives and partners to discuss how to turn global commitments into meaningful action ahead of COP31.
📍 Location: 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017
Use the code: RISEUP2026
Monday 21 September, 7:00 PM until late
The evening networking reception provides a unique opportunity for speakers, delegates, United Nations delegates, government leaders, sponsors, investors, entrepreneurs, and invited guests to continue conversations in a more informal setting. Designed to encourage authentic relationship building, the reception brings together leaders from across industries to develop new partnerships and collaborations towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals during one of the world’s most influential weeks for international engagement.
📍 Location: Bar Lola, 346 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Use the code: RISEUP for 50% discount on tickets.
Tuesday 22 September, 9:00 – 10:30 AM
Keeping 1.5°C within reach demands a rapid, just transition away from fossil fuels — but that transition cannot be called just if it reduces emissions while creating new pressures on the ocean, undermining livelihoods, or sidelining the communities whose rights and futures are tied to it. For Small Island Developing States and coastal communities, this tension is especially acute: many are already living with the impacts of fossil fuel dependence and a changing climate, even as they navigate decisions about future energy systems and growing demands on ocean space. A just energy transition has to be about more than swapping the source of our power — it has to change how decisions get made, how power and benefits are shared, and how communities and ecosystems are protected throughout.
Ocean, Energy and Communities: Shaping a Just Energy Transition, convened by RISE UP for the Ocean, brings community leaders, civil society, practitioners and partners together to explore what an ocean-centered just transition looks like for SIDS and coastal communities, by examining the principles and safeguards that should guide decisions over ocean spaces and the people who depend on them. There is no single blueprint for a just transition; this session asks what it would genuinely take to get there, for both people and the ocean.
📍 Location: Register on Luma for the event address
Tuesday 22 September, 2:30 – 4:30 PM, with social hour afterwards
The ocean sits at the center of both the climate crisis and its solutions — yet ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, sea-level rise, shifting marine ecosystems and the transition away from fossil fuels are already reshaping coastal communities, livelihoods and ocean governance in real time. The Ocean-Climate Nexus: From Frontline Realities to Action brings together government, civil society and community voices to explore what a just and resilient ocean-climate transition actually looks like in practice — grounded not in abstraction, but in the people already living these changes.
Through short films, frontline storytelling and facilitated discussion, the session connects lived experience with policy, science and community-led action, spotlighting the people and approaches shaping a just ocean-climate future. Convened by RISE UP for the Ocean and the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification during Climate Week NYC, this interactive conversation will surface shared messages and priorities to carry forward into COP31 and the wider ocean-climate policy agenda.
📍 Location: Suite 1418, 307 West 38th Street, New York
We welcome opportunities to connect with members, allies, funders, media and organizations attending Climate Week NYC.
