Evaluation of FAO’s support to Life below Water (SDG 14)

FAO

Evaluation of FAO’s support to Life below Water (SDG 14)

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 95 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Booklet

Series title Thematic Evaluation Series

Series number 01/2025

Full item page

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd5134en

Synopsis (short abstract) Promoting the health and sustainable use of our oceans, seas and marine resources is critical to life and is the focus of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) and its ten targets. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is the custodian, co-custodian or partner agency of seven of these targets’ indicators. In these roles, FAO builds on its long history of leadership in developing normative guidance and formulating and implementing projects in the areas covered by SDG 14 targets, such as sustainable fisheries. This evaluation assesses the relevance, contribution and leveraging of partnerships in FAO’s efforts to monitor and progress towards achieving SDG 14 targets (especially those linked to indicators under its custodianship) and broader SDG 14 objectives. Findings show the relevance and contributions of FAO’s work, as well as areas to improve.The evaluation found that, under the Strategic Framework 2022–2031, FAO has aligned its work with SDG 14 goals. FAO’s work on SDG 14 responds to the needs and requests of Members as expressed through the Committee on Fisheries (COFI). In addition, FAO has significantly contributed to enhancing fisheries management, fisheries data and international agreements. For example, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), one of FAO’s flagship publications, is a global public good that shapes thinking around aquatic food production and trends. Furthermore, FAO has driven the development of normative products and international standards, such as the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) and the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) that have improved sustainable fisheries management and helped tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. FAO laid the groundwork for the High Seas Treaty with the Common Oceans Program, identifying new vulnerable marine ecosystems to protect. FAO has also increased the visibility of small-scale fisheries by formulating and promoting the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and associated events, such as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture. FAO raised the profile of aquatic food systems in the climate change agenda and supported the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.

Evaluation brief

Theory of change

PC document

Annex 1. Terms of reference

Annex 2. Portfolio analysis

Annex 3. Evaluation synthesis

Annex 4. Sector level study on fisheries management and tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated(IUU) fishing (14.4 and 14.6)

Annex 5. Sector level study on small-scale fisheries (14.b)

Annex 6. Sector level study on marine and coastal ecosystems (14.1, 14.2, 14.3 and 14.5)

Annex 7. Sector level study on gender and social inclusion

Annex 8. Study on FAO’s work on communication and advocacy in relation to SDG 14

Annex 9. Study on reported Fish production and FAO capacity development