The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (also referred to as the Ocean Decade) to mobilize 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 main motivation for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development is to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and create improved conditions for sustainable development of the ocean, seas and coasts.
The Decade will stimulate action over the next ten years (2021-2030) 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 vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’, with a mission ‘to catalyse transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development, connecting people and our ocean’.
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO has been tasked with designing the Ocean Decade and consulting governments, UN partners, scientific organizations, the private sector and civil society to deliver, together, the ocean we need for the future we want.
The Philippines, through the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) strongly supports the Ocean Decade. The National Committee on Marine Science (NCMS) of UNACOM ensures the promotion and implementation of IOC and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related initiatives, among others.
UNACOM strongly encourages everyone to join the Ocean Decade (2021-2030)!
“The simple fact that half of the oxygen that we breathe is produced by the oceans should be reason enough to mobilize around the issue of better protecting our oceans.”
Prince of Monaco
Prince of Monaco
“The simple fact that half of the oxygen that we breathe is produced by the oceans should be reason enough to mobilize around the issue of better protecting our oceans.”
“As we enter the #OceanDecade, it is our responsibility to seize this moment (...) to learn more about these depths, which often remain largely unknown to us."
Director-General of UNESCO
Director-General of UNESCO
“As we enter the #OceanDecade, it is our responsibility to seize this moment (...) to learn more about these depths, which often remain largely unknown to us."
“Even if you never have the chance to see or touch the ocean, it touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume. Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea. If you think the ocean isn’t important, imagine Earth without it. Mars comes to mind. No ocean, no life support system.”
Founder of Mission Blue
Founder of Mission Blue
“Even if you never have the chance to see or touch the ocean, it touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume. Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea. If you think the ocean isn’t important, imagine Earth without it. Mars comes to mind. No ocean, no life support system.”
Submit your idea for a Decade Activity anytime: events, publications, exhibitions, workshops, conferences or training opportunities.
Throughout the Ocean Decade, partners around the world will lead numerous Decade Actions in the form of programmes, projects and contributions. In order to achieve the Decade’s aim of collective action around major global and regional priorities, a series of Communities of Practice will be created to allow partners to communicate, collaborate and work together.