The Accredited NGOs Network organized a stakeholder event in Jamaica to sensitise the public, cultural officials, law enforcement, students, and stakeholders in the Caribbean to the looting and trafficking of UCH while advocating its alternative environmental, cultural, and economic value.

Outreach activities and workshops demonstrated the importance of UCH to understand changes in the ocean in support of the Decade and how it represents a significant cultural asset giving access to the past and providing a resource for tourism. Ocean science, climate, and community impacts were discussed while engaging the community with artistic narratives to foster inclusivity. On the third day, the event culminated in the public unveiling at the presence of the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport of a mural painted on a prominent site in Kingston, opposite the Institute of Jamaica, to convey the key messages of the event and to engage and sesnsitise the community against pillaging and treasure hunting on UCH.

Documents covering lessons learnt and the  way forward were co-designed and co-created with all stakeholders and partners. These documents were shared with UNESCO as open-access documentation that can be used and shared with relevant stakeholders to organise similar events to strengthen regional and international networks and in support of ongoing discussions on the protection, preservation, and promotion of UCH as well as of the Decade’s Objectives, Challenges, and Outcomes, making this initiative sustainable and repeatable.