Paris / Rio de Janeiro, 27 June 2025 – The vibrant coastal city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has been announced as the host of the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference, a global milestone that will unite science, policy, and society to drive ocean action, spotlight transformative solutions, and shape the legacy of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’).
This Conference will be co-organised with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) in its role as the lead agency of the Ocean Decade, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) of Brazil, and the City of Rio de Janeiro.
With over 10,000 kilometers of coastline, the vast mangrove belt of the Amazon coast, and the only coral reefs in the South Atlantic, Brazil’s deep connection to the ocean makes it a fitting stage for this global gathering and amplifies the country’s role in global ocean action as part of the Ocean Decade.
Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Barbosa de Oliveira Santos, welcomed the announcement, stating: “Brazil has been firmly committed to the actions of the Ocean Decade. With an engaged and influential ocean science community, and the active involvement of various sectors of society, Brazil is – like the Christ the Redeemer statue – with open arms to welcome you. Together, we continue turning knowledge into action for sustainable oceans.”
Building on the success of the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference that took place in Barcelona, Spain, the 2027 edition will be instrumental in showcasing and tracking progress towards the priorities of the Barcelona Statement. Heads of State, government representatives, scientists, civil society, philanthropy and the private sector will come together to refine the strategic priorities of the Decade in the years to come and the direction for the Decade’s legacy beyond 2030.
As a long‑standing partner of the Ocean Decade, Brazil has consistently demonstrated its commitment to advancing sustainable ocean management at the national level. Through its National Decade Committee, the first to be established, the country translates global ambitions into national priorities, embedding the Decade’s objectives across a wide range of sectors and local stakeholders.
Last year, the Boticário Group Foundation hosted the Fourth Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, a pivotal event that strengthened philanthropic engagement and culminated in the 2024 Rio Action Statement, calling for increased investment in ocean science. In April this year, Brazil became the first country in the world to officially commit to integrating ocean literacy into its national school curriculum, nurturing a new generation of ocean stewards. Ocean literacy was also the theme of this year’s National Week of Science and Technology, the country’s largest science outreach event.
And as a powerful symbol of Brazil’s commitment to a healthy and resilient ocean, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue was illuminated with the colors of the Ocean Decade for World Ocean Day earlier in June.
Today, Brazil leads more than 30 Decade Actions that range from promoting gender equality and restoring mangroves to reusing ghost nets and addressing microplastic and marine toxins, illustrating the wide variety of initiatives taking place across the country.
“Brazil, a nation where the ocean is deeply rooted in its identity, has been a driving force every step of the way in the Ocean Decade’s implementation, setting a global benchmark for other countries to follow,” said Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of IOC-UNESCO. “We are honored that the city of Rio de Janeiro will host the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference, and look forward to working together to open a new chapter in the Ocean Decade journey toward a sustainable ocean future.”
More details about the Conference, its programme, and registration process will be shared in due course.
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General contact:
event@oceandecade-conference.com
Communications contacts:
Ocean Decade, UNESCO-IOC
Aya Khalil
a.khalil@unesco.org
2027 Ocean Decade Conference Organizing Committee, Brazil
Christian Marra
chmarra@gmail.com
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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 151 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.
About the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil (MCTI):
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) coordinates Brazil’s national policies in science, technology, and innovation. It oversees agencies such as the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and FINEP, and is responsible for developing strategies to advance technological innovation and scientific research in support of sustainable development. MCTI also plays a key role in Brazil’s relationship with international organizations in the themes of science, technology and innovation, helping to strengthen cooperation in areas such as climate change, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
About the City of Rio de Janeiro:
Strategically located in the South Atlantic, Rio de Janeiro is the largest coastal city in Brazil. Known for its welcoming spirit and coastal soul, the city stands out as a hub for high-level international gatherings, especially those dedicated to environmental and ocean-related issues. Host to milestone meetings such as Rio 92, Rio+20, and the G20 Summit, Rio has solidified its global position in the environmental agenda, offering strong infrastructure and a unique setting for outstanding events.
