102 new Decade Actions have joined the global portfolio of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’), bringing the total to 831 initiatives working to close key regional and thematic gaps in ocean science and support informed decision-making for sustainable development.
Discover the full list of endorsed Ocean Decade Actions here.
Endorsed Decade Actions have been the driving force behind the impact of the Ocean Decade since its implementation. By balancing ocean conservation with the sustainable use of marine resources, they have helped secure major multilateral advances in ocean policy, mobilised financial commitments for marine restoration, and accelerated global momentum to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.
In the lead-up to the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a new round of 102 endorsed Actions will further strengthen the Ocean Decade by connecting science, policy and society and increasing participation from underrepresented groups and regions.
Governmental and intergovernmental organisations, research and academic institutions, the private sector, and NGOs from 42 countries will implement ocean initiatives across all ocean basins, from South Africa and Norway to Australia and Brazil.
Innovative solutions for scientific cooperation in polar regions, Africa, and islands
Ten newly endorsed Decade Projects are strengthening international scientific cooperation in the Southern Ocean, Antarctica and the Arctic Ocean, contributing to the ‘Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025-2034)’ and the International Polar Year 2032-2033. These Projects focus on diverse topics, from Antarctic sailing expeditions to advanced ocean observing systems in the Alaskan Arctic and research on zero-emission ice-thickening technologies. The Actions combine modelling, sustainable fisheries management, and local knowledge to better understand some of the most remote and rapidly changing ecosystems on Earth.
A key priority for the Ocean Decade, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and African countries are among the regions most vulnerable to climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Ten new Projects are transforming these areas into “living laboratories” for ocean science. Across Africa, initiatives strengthen source-to-sea management, restore coral reefs, improve coastal waste systems, and create new jobs. In SIDS, Actions empower local communities to monitor coastal waters and develop practical ocean governance tools adapted to island contexts.
Driving innovation in the blue economy and expanding the Ocean Decade’s global network
As the result of a co-sponsored call with the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP), 24 Decade Projects will contribute to global efforts toward a climate-neutral, resilient, and competitive ocean economy. Addressing Ocean Decade Challenge 4, these initiatives explore solutions from offshore renewable energy development and innovation in the sustainable blue bioeconomy to the transformation of European maritime ports into low-carbon energy hubs.
Seven initiatives have been endorsed as Decade Contributions, providing in-kind or financial support for Decade Actions and coordination. Among them, three Actions strengthen scientific collaboration by engaging citizen scientists in monitoring marine environments and by connecting researchers with vessels for ocean expeditions and field campaigns.
The German Ocean Foundation has been designated as a Decade Implementing Partner to advance ocean literacy and strengthen science-society engagement. Through communication-driven initiatives that translate marine science into accessible formats, the Foundation connects researchers, policymakers, educators, and communities, with a particular focus on youth.
The next Call for Decade Actions No. 11/2026 will be open from 15 April 2026. New Programmes, Projects and Contributions will be solicited to engage in the co-design of transformative ocean science and fill identified gaps in sustainable ocean management. More information will be available soon.
Discover here the full list of endorsed Ocean Decade Actions.
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 the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.
About the IOC:
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 152 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.