Nice, France, June 10, 2025 – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today announced over $40M in active funding commitments for 30x30 action, catalysed by its 30x30 Ocean Accelerator. The Ocean Accelerator is designed to be fast, efficient and flexible—helping governments, local communities, and conservation organizations seize time-sensitive opportunities to protect the ocean in ways that are inclusive, durable, and impactful.

“This initiative meets countries where they are, responding quickly to their needs, and providing the kind of nimble support that global conservation urgently requires,” said Dr. Stacy Jupiter, Executive Director of Marine Conservation at WCS. “It’s about achieving real, lasting outcomes for biodiversity and people.”

Unlike traditional grant funds, the $10 million WCS Ocean Accelerator is a flexible, responsive vehicle that deploys support for new MPA creation, national 30x30 planning, and regional collaboration all over the world. It then leverages more fixed funding ($30 million to date) to provide sustained impact.  

The initiative is already delivering results: Since 2023, the Accelerator has advanced more than 275,000 km² of new and expanded ocean protections. Recent milestones include the designation of 16,000 km² of new marine protected areas in Papua New Guinea, co-designed with over 100 Indigenous communities; taking a 16-year long MPA proposal process in Puerto Rico across the finish line through targeted regional planning support; and the launch of the Women Ocean Guardians global network, which to date has brought together women leaders from 11 countries to advance inclusive ocean governance.

“The ocean is under enormous pressure, and we need to move faster and be more responsive to needs to meet the 30x30 goal,” said Pamela Castillo, Marine 30x30 Director at WCS. “The Ocean Accelerator gives us the speed and agility to do just that – while making sure communities are co-leading the way.”

To date, the Ocean Accelerator is supporting over 100 marine protected and conserved areas, with dedicated strategies to protect threatened species such as sharks and rays. 

The Accelerator is made possible through funding support from the Thomas L. Kempner, Jr. Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, BlackRock, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, the Shark Conservation Fund, and several other visionary private donors, with multilateral partners now engaged to expand its reach.

About the 30x30 Ocean Accelerator
WCS’s 30x30 Ocean Accelerator is mobilizing the financial and technical resources needed to protect 1,000,000 km2 of new ocean area by 2030. Our vision is a world where inclusive, effective conservation safeguards biodiversity, supports local livelihoods, and drives prosperity.

From community-managed coastal waters to biodiversity-rich transboundary seascapes, the Accelerator currently works across 26 countries and 117 marine protected and conserved areas, ensuring sustainable, inclusive governance, and science-driven management in collaboration with local and regional partners.