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Wave of New Ocean Decade Actions Launch the Year Ahead
The newly recognized Decade Actions strengthen the existing portfolio of hundreds of initiatives endorsed by the Ocean Decade since 2021. With lead institutions spanning 21 countries – from Australia to Nicaragua, Nigeria, and Greece – the new initiatives address ocean pollution, coastal resilience, hands-on citizen science, and a sustainable ocean economy. They are primarily led by research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.
“Decade Actions embrace a diverse range of profiles – some generate knowledge to fill critical gaps in our understanding of the ocean, while others build capacity and seek to influence decision-making,” said Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC). “With these initiatives targeting regional and thematic priorities for ocean action, including marine microbiome exploration, light pollution, marine energy, and coastal ecosystems, we continue to expand the role of the Ocean Decade as a global coordination and cooperation mechanism for ocean science across the globe.”
Tackling priority areas for ocean science
Three new Decade Programmes were officially acknowledged for their work towards the achievement of , , and .
Invisible yet vital to the Earth’s well-being, the ocean microbiome makes up over two-thirds of the ocean’s biomass. Led by Shanghai Ocean University, China, , which will focus on the polar regions and the little-known hadal trenches of the ocean, will work closely with other already endorsed Programmes working on similar issues such as the , , , and to give a voice to this hidden majority of the ocean. By creating a global research network, DOME will explore deep ocean microbial diversity, ecosystem processes, and the ocean’s role in sustaining life amid climate change.
Closer to the surface, coastal cities, offshore oil rigs, and ships flood the ocean with artificial light, disrupting natural rhythms and threatening marine habitats. Headed by the University of Plymouth, UK, the provides insight into this often-overlooked form of pollution. The Programme convenes leading ocean experts to develop initiatives and tools, including open-access datasets, interactive maps, and policy briefings, to mitigate this growing issue.
under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office, is unlocking energy solutions for a sustainable ocean economy. Marine energy – harnessing power from waves, currents, tides, and temperature changes – is the world’s largest untapped renewable resource. PBE-Global shares knowledge, fosters collaboration, and builds capacity to advance marine energy technology for greater sustainability of industries and coastal communities.
Four Decade Projects implemented in and for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Africa focus on enhancing coastal resilience through video gaming, conserving kelp forests, engaging communities in wastewater management, and managing coastal pollution. Three additional Projects aim to address gender inequalities, inspire youth to become green ambassadors, and strengthen Indigenous leadership in decision-making.
A new and exciting area of deep ocean science under the newly endorsed "Dark oxygen production in the deep sea" project will investigate how oxygen is produced on the abyssal ocean floor, along with its significance and broader implications. Led by the (SAMS) and supported by , a long-standing partner of the IOC, this initiative seeks to deepen our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and their essential role in sustaining life. For additional information on this groundbreaking discovery, see the recent coverage in Oceanographic Magazine .
UNESCO-IOC, the only UN body dedicated solely to ocean science and the lead agency for the Ocean Decade, is adding two new Projects to its extensive list of Decade Actions – the largest of any UN organization. Implemented by its and Yunnan University, ‘’ provides vital data on marine stressors to inform regional sustainable strategies and strengthen science-based conservation efforts. The Project ‘‘ will scale up UNESCO-IOC’s initiative in both existing and new countries, strengthening hazard preparedness in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) through improved assessment, measurement, and forecasting.
Building knowledge and capacity for sustainable ocean management
Eleven new Decade Contributions have received official endorsement to support the implementation of the Ocean Decade. These initiatives will provide necessary funding or in-kind resources for global coastal resilience, marine sustainability, and ecosystem conservation with a focus on underrepresented groups and regions.
Among these, the , led by OceanX, will support the Ocean Decade in tackling the pressing ocean challenges facing Africa. The exploratory mission will increase understanding of ocean circulation, ecosystem health, and marine biodiversity for sustainable resource management in this region.
Under its ‘Climate & Biodiversity Initiative,’ the co-branded call for projects by the BNP Paribas Foundation will fund initiatives exploring the climate-biodiversity nexus, science-driven solutions for ocean challenges, and adaptation strategies to scale up ecosystem-based management.
These new endorsements bring the total number of Ocean Decade Actions to 628, implemented on all continents and covering all ocean basins.
The current is open until 31 January 2025, aiming to bridge science and knowledge gaps in coastal resilience, society’s relationship with the ocean, and the ocean-human health nexus.
For more information, please contact:
Ocean Decade Communications Team (oceandecade.comms@unesco.org)
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About the Ocean Decade:
Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the 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 promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 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.
