The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development was first announced in 2017 by the UN General Assembly. The ten-year period (2021-2030) is known as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, commonly referred to as “the Ocean Decade”. The theme for the decade, ‘the science we need for the Ocean we want’, serves as the guiding vision for achieving sustainable development. Since its launch in 2021, the Ocean Decade has evolved into a global ocean science initiative coordinated by IOC/UNESCO. Its goal is to involve everyone by promoting interdisciplinary ocean research across all levels, using information and knowledge to inform policies and decisions that support a well-functioning ocean in alignment with all SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. One key focus area is resource mobilisation and technological innovation aimed at enhancing capacity, developing scientific knowledge, establishing and sharing infrastructure, and fostering partnerships for a sustainable and healthy ocean. This will help drive the shift from the current state of the ocean to the ocean we aspire to—one that is healthy, sustainable, and benefits everyone.
The Ocean Decade Objectives
The objectives designed to guide global efforts toward achieving "the ocean we want" by 2030:
- Identify required knowledge for sustainable development and increase the capacity of ocean science to deliver needed ocean data and information.
- Build capacity and generate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the ocean, including human interactions and interactions with the atmosphere, cryosphere, and the land-sea interface.
- Increase the use of ocean knowledge and understanding, and develop the capacity to contribute to sustainable development solutions.
Ocean Decade challenges
The Ocean Decade includes ten-decade challenges that envision seven outputs. These challenges portray distinguished framework actions aimed at a global, holistic approach to tackling ocean challenges. Because ocean-related issues vary across communities worldwide, local, national, and regional priorities focus on the most urgent challenges that align with their specific policies and needs. Challenges addressed can change over time once they are resolved.
The 10 challenges condensed by the ICES Journal include:
- Challenge 1 - Understand and beat marine pollution
- Challenge 2 - Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
- Challenge 3 - Sustainably nourish the global population
- Challenge 4 - Develop a sustainable, resilient and equitable ocean economy
- Challenge 5 - Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change
- Challenge 6 - Increase community resilience to ocean and coastal risks
- Challenge 7 - Sustainably expand the Global Ocean Observing System
- Challenge 8 - Create a digital representation of the ocean
- Challenge 9 - Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all
- Challenge 10 - Restore society’s relationship with the ocean
Decade Outcomes
The Ocean Decade defines seven desired outcomes, a blueprint for transforming the future of our ocean and our relationship with it:
1. A Clean Ocean - Pollution is identified, reduced, or removed, including plastics, chemicals, and noise. Science-based solutions help eliminate pollution at the source and foster a circular economy.
2. A Healthy and Resilient Ocean - Marine ecosystems are understood, protected, and restored. We address multiple stressors like climate change and biodiversity loss to build ecological resilience.
3. A Productive Ocean - The ocean sustains food security and drives a sustainable blue economy. Better tools and knowledge support fisheries, aquaculture, and ocean-based industries like energy and tourism.
4. A Predicted Ocean - We improve our ability to understand, forecast, and respond to ocean changes, from coastal zones to deep seas. This enables adaptive, forward-looking ocean management.
5. A Safe Ocean - Communities are protected from ocean-related hazards like storms, sea-level rise, and harmful algal blooms. Early warning systems and risk awareness build resilience at all levels.
6. An Accessible Ocean - Open access to ocean data, knowledge, and technology is ensured, especially for developing countries. Everyone can participate in and benefit from ocean science.
7. An Inspiring and Engaging Ocean - The ocean is recognised as a source of wonder and value. Education and ocean literacy connect people to the sea, inspiring stewardship and future generations of ocean leaders.
The Barcelona statement
The Ocean Decade conference took place in April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, where several global stakeholders gathered to reflect on the progress and the achievements of the Ocean Decade goals. Since its launch in 2021, the major achievements noted during the Barcelona gathering were:
- The generation of over 50 global ocean science programmes that involve everyone across all sectors internationally working together to resolve Ocean Decade Challenges.
- Development of over 400 national and regional projects
- In-kind contributions of about 100 formal contributions made
- More than 4,500 institutions are involved in the Decade Actions, with over 20,000 individuals contributing to their success
- Close to USD 1 billion mobilised by the Decade Actions
Future needs and priorities
Conference discussions revolved around the development of a common vision for the future priorities of the Ocean Decade. The identified priorities include:
- Ocean knowledge and science generation and uptake, including co-designing and co-delivery
- Need for ocean science infrastructure, such as pollution monitoring, ocean observations, interoperable ocean data, and innovative technology, among others.
- Measures to ensure that the Ocean Decade is on track for success by 2030
The Conference agreed that for the identified priorities for regional and national contexts, specific attention and focus are to be directed towards the needs of SIDS, Least Developed Countries, and other under-represented groups, and opportunity creation for South-South collaboration and exchange. Major commitments were therefore made as the first meaningful achievement of the identified priorities.