PROBLUE

Subject : Environment

Section: International Conventions

PROBLUE is an Umbrella Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) administered by the World Bank that supports the development of integrated, sustainable and healthy marine and coastal resources.
With the Blue Economy Action Plan as its foundation, PROBLUE contributes to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) and is fully aligned with the World Bank’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty and increasing the income and welfare of the poor in a sustainable way.
PROBLUE supports the World Bank’s overall oceans portfolio, which is worth over $9 billion in active projects as of June 2021.
PROBLUE focuses on four key areas:
- The management of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
- Addressing threats posed to ocean health by marine pollution, including litter and plastics, from marine or land-based sources
- The sustainable development of key oceanic sectors such as tourism, maritime transport and off-shore renewable energy
- Building government capacity to manage marine resources, including nature-based infrastructure such as mangroves, in an integrated way to deliver more and long-lasting benefits to countries and communities

Need for PROBLUE

Oceans are reaching a tipping point, under threat from many fronts, from overfishing and marine pollution to coastal erosion, all of which are exacerbated by climate change. Healthy oceans provide jobs, food, drive economic growth and keep the planet cool, so a break from business as usual is required.
PROBLUE was established in response to client demand, and it helps us identify current trends and emerging threats to oceans, and solutions for action.
Trust funds like PROBLUE can play a key role in raising awareness and promoting investment.

Donors for PROBLUE

Norway was an early partner to PROBLUE, announcing their contribution at the 2018 World Bank Group and IMF Spring Meetings, followed by Sweden, Iceland, France and Germany. Today, PROBLUE is supported by Australia, Canada, Denmark, the European Commission, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.