In 2021, UNEP-WCMC and GRID-Arendal conducted a Rapid Assessment of existing progress, gaps, challenges and opportunities for the development of a sustainable blue economy in Uruguay. The Assessment found that Uruguay has strong policies and regulations to safeguard nature and to promote sustainable development of sectors in the blue economy. However, it also highlighted some gaps and barriers to effective implentation of the existing framework. The key gap identified is the absence of a coherent governance approach for Uruguay’s ocean and coast.
This policy brief presents the findings of the Rapid Assessment and provides recommendations for actions that could support the development of a sustainable blue economy in Uruguay. Key recommendations include the development of an integrated sustainable blue economy policy that sets out a shared vision and provides a strategic framework for delivery, a number of enabling actions to help strengthen the implementation of policies and regulations, as well as actions to foster a more diversified and equitable blue economy.