The Decade Advisory Board (DAB) will drive the implementation of the second half of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘the Ocean Decade’), guided by the outcomes of the Vision 2030 process and the Mid-Term Evaluation, and support preparations for the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference.
Serving as a multi-stakeholder advisory body, the Decade Advisory Board provides strategic guidance to the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in coordinating the Ocean Decade.
Between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2027, the new cohort of the Board will play a key role in guiding the next phase of the Decade’s implementation. The 15 expert members who will be joined on the Board by representatives of UN agencies will explore ways to strengthen the Decade’s impact, refine governance models and resource mobilization approaches, reinforce collaboration across the United Nations system, and support endorsement of Decade Actions.
The Board will help define the high-level objectives and structure of the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference, a milestone event to accelerate ocean action and shape the Decade’s long-term legacy. The experts will also work to further embed the Ocean Decade in science-policy dialogue and increase the engagement of underrepresented groups and regions in the Decade. This strategic oversight will be rooted in the outcomes of the Vision 2030 process, the Barcelona Statement, and the findings of the independent Mid-Term Evaluation.
New expert members of the Decade Advisory Board will be selected through an open call for nominations, which is currently accepting submissions until 15 October 2025 at 23.59h CEST. The nomination-based model for Board membership ensures geographical, generational, and gender diversity, with members serving on a voluntary basis.
Proposals for nominations can be put forward by IOC-UNESCO and United Nations Member States, United Nations entities, as well as intergovernmental organizations. Self-nominations are also possible to encourage nominations from non-governmental entities.
The nomination form for membership of the Decade Advisory Board can be found here.
The full Terms of Reference for the Board, the eligibility criteria for expert members, and information on how to apply can be found in the Circular Letter which can be downloaded here.
For more information, please contact:
oceandecade@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 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.