VANCOUVER, BC – One year from today, Canada will welcome the world’s marine conservation leaders to Vancouver to chart a course towards protecting 30 per cent of the global ocean by 2030, Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada announced.

From June 23-30, 2022, the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) will be held under the auspices of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Congress will be presented by the Host First Nations—xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh)—together with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

A wide range of partners have come together with the organizers to help achieve the high ambitions of Canada and other like-minded countries to expand conserved areas in response to the urgent planetary crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

IMPAC Congresses are global forums that welcome marine protected area professionals, Indigenous leaders, conservationists, policy makers, young professionals and ocean friends and advocates.  Participants will share their knowledge, experience, best practices and best ideas for future ocean protection in five thematic areas spanned by three cross cutting streams: Innovation and Transformational Change, Indigenous Peoples Leadership, and The Voice of Young Professionals.

Ahead of the one-year countdown, a three-month call for proposals was launched on 14 June for presentations that address the challenges and issues facing the global ocean. Proposals will be accepted until 20 September 2021.

IMPAC5 will culminate in a one-day Leadership Summit on 30 June, where leaders from participating governments and other organizations will hear the results of the Congress, address key issues, and affirm and announce commitments to expanding ocean protection.

For the latest news on the Congress, please visit http://www.impac5.ca/ and follow IMPAC5 on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Photo: VPA