Lead institution:
IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), UNESCO – Thailand
Since 1986, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) has convened the WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium every three years, hosted by Member States on a rotational basis.
Over the decades, the WESTPAC International Scientific Symposium has grown into the largest gathering in the region for marine research communities and ocean stakeholders from diverse sectors. It becomes a cornerstone event for advancing ocean knowledge, fostering multi- and trans-disciplinary collaboration, and strengthening partnerships among scientists, resource managers, governmental officers, private/business sectors, NGOs, and foundations towards the improvement in ocean management practices and decision-making processes for sustainable ocean development. Since 2021, in response to the global call of the UN Ocean Decade (2021-2030), the WESTPAC Conference has also served as the Decade Regional Conference, promoting regional efforts in the development and implementation of Decade Actions.
Start Date: 01/01/2021
End Date: 31/12/2030
Lead Contact: Wenxi Zhu (iocwestpact@unesco.org)