The Ocean Cities network, an endorsed Decade Action driven and coordinated from Barcelona by the ICM-CSIC, gains momentum at two key meetings in Qingdao and Brussels, establishing itself as a benchmark in coastal sustainability.
The Ocean Cities programme, coordinated by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), has had a prominent presence at two key international events: the First Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference, held in Qingdao (China), and the EU Ocean Days 2025 in Brussels (Belgium). These events have served to reinforce the role of Ocean Cities as a leading initiative in promoting a global network of cities in harmony with the marine environment.
“The presence of Ocean Cities at these gatherings is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen international alliances and raise awareness of the importance of cities in ocean protection. These events allow us to share knowledge, establish new collaborations, and continue driving concrete actions for better coastal management on a global scale,” said Clara R. Solé (ICM-CSIC), from the ICM’s Deputy Directorate for Internationalisation and Science Diplomacy.
On the one hand, the First Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference, organised by UNESCO/IOC in collaboration with the Decade Collaborative Centre for International Cooperation and the Municipal Government of Qingdao, brought together over 250 participants and represented a decisive step in accelerating the Cities with the Ocean Platform, which was launched at the Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona and is co-coordinated by the Ocean Cities network.
During the event, an Ocean Cities representative, together with a representative from UNESCO/IOC, announced the new partners joining the platform and took part in a session on alliances, resources, and capacity development. The conference concluded with the publication of the Qingdao Declaration, which sets strategic guidelines for collaboration between coastal cities and the protection of the marine environment.
On the other hand, Ocean Cities representatives participated in the EU Ocean Days 2025, where they spoke in a session on cities and ports, sharing a panel with representatives from the Port of Aveiro (Portugal) and the SDG4MED Mayors’ Coalition, discussing the interaction between urban development and marine sustainability.
One of the most significant moments for the Ocean Cities network was the recognition awarded for its contribution to innovation in coastal management. Elisabetta Balzi, representing the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, presented this award, reaffirming the programme’s importance within the European context.
These two events have solidified Ocean Cities as a key initiative for collaboration between cities and the marine environment, focusing on the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 and the special event Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience.
This article was originally published on the ICM-CSIC website.