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Philanthropic leadership for the ocean we need
Asia, home to nearly 2 billion coastal residents, has a deep and longstanding connection to the ocean — celebrated not just as an economic resource, but as the “Mother of Life” across many cultures. As a leading ocean nation, Japan leads in marine governance, ecosystem protection and restoration, and capacity building for a sustainable ocean future.
From 3 to 5 September 2025, Tokyo will host the Ocean Decade Fifth Foundations Dialogue, convened by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF). The event will bring together philanthropic funding organisations from around the world to align and accelerate their contributions to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Building on Rio, looking ahead from Tokyo
Following the 2024 Rio Action Statement and taking place after the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, the Fifth Foundations Dialogue offers a timely opportunity to:
- Reflect on achievements made in the first half of the Ocean Decade
- Prioritise future action for philanthropic engagement
- Strengthen partnerships, refine contributions and influence on the second half of the Ocean Decade
A spotlight on Asia and the Pacific
The 2025 Dialogue will highlight contributions from across Asia and the Pacific, to establish strong partnerships and develop funding models in support of the Ocean Decade’s goals, with a focus on:
- The region’s rich cultural diversity and vision grounded in the deep connection between its people and the ocean
- National leadership and innovative approaches in ocean governance, sustainable ocean economy, and marine science
- Mobilising private foundations and increasing cross-sector collaborations to scale up investment in the generation and use of ocean science
Programme overview
The event will feature:
- High-level opening session
- Daily plenaries and working groups
- Networking opportunities
- Closing segment
The main outcome of the event, the 2025 Tokyo Statement, will lay out a strategic roadmap for philanthropy for resource mobilisation, outreach, advocacy, and partnerships in support of Ocean Decade initiatives.
Get involved!
The Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue is open to all philanthropic funding organisations interested in supporting the Ocean Decade. The group is organised in a series of thematic and geographic working groups and welcomes interest from new foundations looking to engage.
We look forward to engaging with new partners to work together in addressing various challenges for the ocean!
⚠️ Please note: The Fifth Foundations Dialogue meeting is by invitation only and open exclusively to philanthropic funding organisations.
For more information about the Foundations Dialogue or the 2025 meeting, please download the concept note here.
Contact: oceandecade@unesco.org