As 2024 draws to a close, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the significant milestones that have propelled the global ocean community forward. Over the past year, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’) has played a pivotal role in bridging scientific gaps, highlighting critical needs and fostering multistakeholder collaboration to address the state of the ocean. Under the leadership of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), these efforts have transformed pressing issues into actionable steps for individual and collective efforts at all scales.
The numbers speak for themselves to illustrate the Ocean Decade’s transformative year. Over 2,600 participants from 124 countries discussed the future of the Ocean Decade at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference. More than 150 ocean experts collaborated to identify a common measure for each Ocean Decade Challenge. Across 70 countries, over 23,000 individuals from more than 3,200 partner institutions, including 2,500 Early Career Ocean Professionals, engaged in Decade Actions. With outreach surpassing 6 million people and a digital community nearing 3 million followers, the Ocean Decade has ignited global awareness and inspired collective action for ocean sustainability.
“2024 tells a powerful story of growth and impact for the global Ocean Decade community,” said Vidar Helgesen, UNESCO-IOC Executive Secretary. “It highlighted the urgent need to address the ocean’s alarming state while identifying critical gaps in ocean science and knowledge. It also served as a catalyst, creating the enabling conditions to foster partnerships, resource mobilization and advocacy for ocean action.”
Join us to look back at some of the Ocean Decade milestones that made waves within and beyond the ocean community:
APRIL 2024
A flagship event hosted by the Kingdom of Spain and co-organized with UNESCO-IOC, the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference gathered over 2,600 ocean experts from over 120 countries in Barcelona. Discussions addressed the Vision 2030 White Papers on the 10 Decade Challenges as well as groundbreaking ocean solutions led by Decade Actions and partners. The main outcome of the Conference, the Barcelona Statement, is a crucial roadmap that identifies the priority areas of action for the Decade in the coming years.
To move from the ocean we have to the ocean we want, we need relevant, timely, reliable and accessible ocean data, information and knowledge – and private industry has a key role to play in this endeavor. Prepared by the Ocean Decade Corporate Data Group, the call to action provides guidance for organizations of all backgrounds to facilitate the public sharing of private-sector ocean data in support of ocean science and the development of a sustainable ocean economy.
MAY 2024
The Ocean Decade recognizes the importance of ocean science for the equitable, inclusive and sustainable development of SIDS, and is rolling out diverse initiatives to increase action in these territories. Through several thematic side events at SIDS4, the Decade rallied a diverse ocean community to showcase tangible achievements, including accessible data and digital technologies, integrated ocean management and solutions for mitigating coastal threats.
JUNE 2024
Coordinated by UNESCO-IOC, the report is structured around the seven Outcomes of the Ocean Decade and offers a comprehensive ‘health check’ of the ocean. It presents the latest trends and data on physical, chemical, ecological, socio-economic and governance aspects to align policy and research efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In view of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, to be held in Nice in June 2025 and co-hosted by Costa Rica and France, this event provided a space to exchange good practices and successful experiences on topics related to ocean governance and health. The Ocean Decade presented and discussed the Barcelona Statement, shared co-design practices and illustrated successful Decade Actions through a series of side events.
SEPTEMBER 2024
The joint Statement was developed during the Fourth Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue Meeting, held this year from 3 to 5 September 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Backed by 25 foundations, the 2024 Rio Action Statement lays out a bold roadmap for philanthropy to drive resource mobilization, outreach, advocacy and partnerships in support of Ocean Decade initiatives ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
OCTOBER 2024
The ‘Ambition, Action, Impact’ report builds on the publication of the Vision 2030 White Papers which set a tailored and specific strategic ambition, or ‘end goal’, and associated milestones for each Decade Challenge. Rooted in the key findings and outcomes of this year-long participatory process, it identifies key priorities and transformative actions to advance ocean knowledge and science as part of the Ocean Decade. It was launched at the 2024 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Forum in Ottawa, Canada.
Biodiversity is a cross-cutting issue in the Ocean Decade, underpinning all Decade Challenges. ‘An Ocean of Life’ features a wide array of initiatives from endorsed Decade Actions focused on preserving, restoring and managing marine biodiversity. Structured around the GBF targets, the success stories demonstrate how the Ocean Decade is driving change – shaping knowledge and policies, empowering communities and redefining citizen engagement. It was launched on the occasion of Ocean Day at COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia.
NOVEMBER 2024
Bathymetry data contributes to the creation of a comprehensive map of the world’s ocean floor and is a foundational layer for almost all scientific studies of the ocean. This new resource aims to present the mutual benefits of data sharing to both science and industry, and provides guidelines and best practices on how to achieve this.
DECEMBER 2024
The roadmap seeks to provide a coordinated framework for just, inclusive and impactful action that meets the strategic ambition of the Ocean Decade Challenges in the TAC region, while recognizing its diversity. This includes identifying and responding to regional priorities, addressing emerging issues, and fostering collaboration and use of science and knowledge among partners and stakeholders. It was developed through a multiyear preparatory, consultative and co-designed process, with a concerted effort to involve SIDS. It was launched at the 2024 CILAC Forum in San Andrés, Colombia.
Recognizing that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to how NGOs can support sustainable ocean management, the Ocean Decade emphasizes helping them identify their optimal roles within the global ocean science movement. To do so, UNESCO-IOC and the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee elaborated this manual packed with essential insights, advice and successful case studies as a detailed and flexible roadmap for robust civil engagement in the Decade. It was launched at the 2024 International Conference of NGOs in Paris, France.
Looking ahead, the 2025 UN Ocean Conference stands as a landmark event to accelerate global action for the ocean. Building on the momentum of the Barcelona Statement and the insights from this year, the Ocean Decade will drive efforts to unite stakeholders, solidify commitments and champion transformative solutions to ensure a sustainable future for the ocean.
For more information, please contact:
Ocean Decade Communications Team (oceandecade.comms@unesco.org)
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About the Ocean Decade:
Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.
About the UNESCO-IOC:
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.