The United

Nations Decade
of Ocean Science
for Sustainable
Development
(2021-2030)

The Ocean We Need

for the Future We Want United Nations
Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization
Intergovernmental Sustainable
Oceanographic
Commission
Development
Goals
The United Nations
Decade of Ocean
Science will help
to build a shared
information system,
based on trustworthy,
scientific data, from
all parts of the world’s
ocean.

Professor Peter M. Haugan

Chair of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
A United Nations Decade of Ocean Science
for Sustainable Development
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable Development to mobilise ocean stakeholders
worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science
can fully support countries in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.
The Decade will stimulate action over the next ten years in areas of critical
importance for the planet, people, prosperity, peace and partnership.
More coordinated and consolidated observations and research will
contribute to the UN processes protecting the ocean and its resources, such
as the Aichi Biodiversity targets, the SAMOA Pathway, the United Nations
Convention for the Law of the Sea and the Sendai Framework for Disaster
Risk Reduction.
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has
been tasked with designing the Decade and consulting governments,
UN partners, scientific organisations, the private sector and civil society to
deliver, together, the ocean we need for the future we want.
 Some expected results Want
Proposal
Improved awareness on the state of the ocean via internationally accessible for
Decade of an International
Oce
Sustainable an Science for
Developmen
(٢٠٣٠-٢٠
reliable data and information ٢١) t
Education United
al, Nations
Cultural Scientific and Intergover
Organizati Oceanogranmental
on Sustainab
Commissio phic
n Developm le
Goals ent

Why a UN Decade of Ocean Science

Multidisciplinary scientific collaboration in the field of oceanography
Development of new observing technologies, knowledge and data on the
cumulative impacts that affect the health of our ocean

Only 5%
GLOBAL 3 of the ocean floor
has been mapped

KNOWLEDGE
GAPS 99% Number of people
who have explored
the deepest known
at high resolution

erstand the 103

impact
of habitable point of the ocean
marine areas lack
basic biodiversity
knowledge for their
management

million
1
cean
Square miles of deep sea are
million in perpetual darkness
Approximate number of marine species
that could still be unknown to science

e cumulative impa
All nations need scientific
solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda
Ocean science is critical in reversing the decline that the ocean has slipped
into in recent decades, whether it is to address climate change impacts
on the ocean, marine pollution, ocean acidification, the loss of marine
species and degradation of marine and coastal environments. To achieve
sustainable development, good science is needed to inform policies and raise
the knowledge of all stakeholders.
A core objective of the Decade will be to improve the scientific knowledge

quirements for sus

base through capacity development to regions and groups that are presently
limited in capacity and capability, especially SIDS and LDCs.
Investment in marine research will be leveraged through partnerships, far
beyond the existing level of investment (ocean science accounts for only
between 0,04% and 4% of total research and development expenditures
worldwide).
 Examples of Possible Outcomes

Credit_British Antarctic Survey

Credit_CC BY 2.0_Kevin Gill

Mapping the ocean Inventory of ocean

ecosystems
Credit_Scott Bainbridge_AIMS

Open access to data and Ocean observing system

information for all major basins

A Decade To
TRANSFORM BOLSTER
knowledge systems to ocean observing and
support sustainable data systems
development

DELIVER
MEASURE best available
cumulative impacts knowledge to
for effective solutions decision-makers

REDUCE ACCELERATE
vulnerability to ocean transfer of marine
and coastal hazards technology, training
and education
How to prepare the Decade?
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO will coordinate
the Decade's prepatory process, inviting the global ocean community to plan
for the next ten years in ocean science and technology, and connecting ocean
science with societal needs.

The United Nations

Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable
Development is a
unique opportunity
to engage the ocean
science community
in achieving SDG14 -
globally, regionally,
and locally.
Dr Vladimir Ryabinin
Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

IOC-UNESCO http://ioc.unesco.org
7, Place de Fontenoy Facebook.com/IocUnesco
F-75352 PARIS 07 SP Twitter: @IocUnesco
France Email: oceandecade@unesco.org
For more information, please visit this dedicated webpage: http://en.unesco.org/ocean-decade
IOC Brochure 2018-2 (IOC/BRO/2018/2)
 Preparing for the Decade
Building on global and regional consultations, an international Planning
Group will lead the drafting of the Decade Implementation Plan

UNGA
Resolution
proclaiming Start of
Implementation
the Decade Planning the Decade
Plan for
Group established the Decade
IOC Assembly
IOC
Executive IOC Executive
Council Council validates
Implementation Plan

2018 2019 2020 2021

Draft Implementation Plan
Regional/global workshops
Regional consultation
Stakeholder feedback

Preparation Phase The Decade

A Participative and Transformative Process

The Decade will be transformative and generate the scientific knowledge
and underpinning infrastructure and partnerships needed to ensure
the sustainable development of the ocean

UN / non-UN National commitments /

Support contributions
The Decade
The leadership, processes and structure
to enable a successful Decade of Ocean Science
for Sustainable Development

Portfolio
Selection of contributions to realise
the Goals of the Decade with pro-active monitoring
and adjustment based on performance, risk and objectives

Programmes
Management of all the projects (grouped
into Programmes) that are necessary to realise
the expected benefits and outcomes

Projects
Management of execution,
resources, budget and
schedule to deliver a specific
project outcome/benefit

NGO contributions Existing systems / support

Who is Concerned?
Stakeholders working at the science/policy interface will be invited to
contribute

Formulates priorities, advances and

aligns the agenda for global ocean
science and increased uptake
_____________

Ocean science &

technology

Give evidence base, Ocean policy Actively help policy makers

prioritisation advice and voice Civil society (at all levels) finding solutions to
to civil society interests NGOs What & sustainable
development ocean sustainability challenges
_____________ does _____________

the Decade
Alignment and leverage of
mean Access to tools and information
investment in high impact of Donors &
foundations
for you? Business &
industry
required to find solutions to
global ocean research ocean sustainability and secure
_____________ investments in the blue economy
_____________
Public

Access to new information leading to

increased awareness and ocean literacy,
triggering behavioural changes
_____________

How Can You Help?

➔ C
 ontribute to the Planning Process: submit ideas or
participate in Decade dedicated workshops
➔ H
 ost and organise events: consult stakeholders, communicate
about the Decade and identify opportunities for investments
and resource mobilisation
➔ P
 rovide in-kind and/or financial support: help IOC and its
coordinating activities
➔ C
 ommunicate: share the purpose and expected results of
the Decade, its Planning Phase and Preparatory Activities

CLD 707.18