The National Decade Committee for Belgium (NDC‑BE) was officially established in 2022 as Belgium’s national coordination body for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021‑2030). It is chaired by a core group of formal national institutions that have substantial contributions to the Ocean Decade challenges and is supported by an open group of stakeholders whose participation is voluntary. The core group chair is Dr. Sophie Mirgaux, Belgium's Special Envoy for the Ocean, and the co-chair is Dr. Ann-Katrien Lescrauwaet, Director of International Relations at VLIZ and acting as the focal point. The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) was officially mandated to host the secretariat of the Belgian NDC (NDC-BE), supporting national-level engagement and facilitating contributions to the global Network of NDCs.
The (NDC‑BE) connects Belgian ocean stakeholders with global Ocean Decade networks to advance national contributions to SDG14 and other sustainability goals. This connection is supported through coordination with the Decade Collaborative Centres (DCCs) and Decade Coordination Offices (DCOs), which collaborate directly with the Decade Coordination Unit (DCU), other National Decade Committees, and recognized Decade Implementing Partners (DIPs).
Aligned with the Ocean Decade vision “The science we need for the ocean we want,” NDC‑BE seeks to catalyze ocean science that contributes to sustainable development, through national coordination, partnerships, outreach, and tangible actions. It focuses on decade outcomes such as ocean health, hazard resilience, biodiversity, data accessibility, and public engagement.
Functions of NDC-BE
Support national members to co-design and co-deliver decade actions
Mobilize resources and in‑kind contributions, including facilitating access to funding and capacity-building schemes.
Engage with other NDC internationally
Communications & outreach, promoting the Ocean Decade, raising awareness, and ensuring inclusivity, especially for ECOPs and under‑represented groups
NDC-BE Priority areas
NDC-BE Focus on Action
Key Highlights and NDC-BE activities 2024
- Conducted 57 activities across 11 thematic areas, focusing on building both global and local partnerships. These activities benefited 2,500 people (40% male, 60% female), including 18 Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs).
- Some of the activity types included:
- Capacity development
- Summer school, training, and workshops travel grants
- Exhibitions
- Communications
- Symposia and conferences
- Collaboration with other NDCs (e.g. Germany, Italy, Chile, Netherlands, Madagascar) to catalyse decade actions.
- Co-designed two decade projects with Chile: FRDA (Learning network foundation for artisanal fishing in Chile) and REDCAMP (Network of Communities of Marine Protected Areas of Chile)
Key Highlights and NDC-BE activities 2023
Launched 51 Ocean Decade Actions in 2023, and 18 actions for 2024. These engaged 11 ECOPs and built partnerships across six countries and three continents.
Four new endorsed Belgian actions:
Acoustics to Assess Reef Health (ULiège)
Downscaling Climate & Ocean Change Services (ULiège)
Marine Regions & Sea Level Station Monitoring Facility (VLIZ – Marine Data Centre)
ARTPORT – We are Ocean Global Program (Mundus Maris)
Provided support to central Ocean Decade initiatives: Capacity Development Facility, and others under FUST-supported projects.
Participation and sponsorship at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, with active multiple presentations and outreach by NDC‑BE/VLIZ representatives.
Offered travel grants for ECOPs, including those from the Global South, to enhance inclusivity in international Ocean Decade participation.
Governance & Funding
Governance of NDC-BE follows the IOC‑UNESCO operational guidelines and NDC‑BE’s Terms of Reference. VLIZ acts as the secretariat to National committee formally endorsed as an Ocean Decade Implementing Partner (DIP) in 2022, with the alignment of strategies ensures the NDC‑BE’s maximum impact. The Flanders government provides dedicated support which covers staffing and “seed” resources to enable sustained action delivery.
More on the NDC-BE:
