High-Level Launch of the Ocean Decade and Ocean Decade Laboratories
First International Ocean Decade Conference
1 JUNE 2021 – JUNE 2022
Creating The Ocean We Want
As the largest ecosystem on Earth, the ocean is essential to the survival of nature and humankind. But this source of vibrant diversity and in turn, our livelihoods and habitats, is under threat. Science and research are now called upon to join forces with policymakers, society and economic actors to restore, protect and sustainably manage the ocean.
As proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, 2021 to 2030 is the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) was mandated to prepare an Implementation Plan for the Decade in collaboration with the ocean world and is coordinating implementation of the Ocean Decade that started on 1 January 2021. In line with the vision “The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want”, the Ocean Decade is establishing an unprecedented international scientific alliance to bring people and the ocean together.
The virtual High-Level Launch of the Ocean Decade in Berlin on 1 June 2021 is being hosted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in partnership with the IOC. The High-Level Launch celebrates the beginning of the Ocean Decade. It is likewise the start of a unique, multidisciplinary event series taking place from June 2021 to June 2022: the First International Ocean Decade Conference. The tagline “Creating the Ocean We Want” expresses the focus of this watershed moment.
High Level Launch of the Ocean Decade – First International Ocean Decade Conference
The United Nations declared 2021–2030 as the Ocean Decade. Along the tagline “Creating the Ocean We Want”, the BMBF and IOC-UNESCO celebrated the High-Level Launch in Berlin. The clip shows a documentary of this event.Copyright: BMBF
OCEAN DECADE LABORATORIES
The Ocean Decade Laboratories connect diverse actors from around the globe to maintain the momentum of the High-Level Launch.
As a series of online sessions structured around the seven Ocean Decade Outcomes, the Laboratories are a platform for catalyzing partnerships and co-designing Decade Actions.
AN INSPIRING AND ENGAGING OCEAN
An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the ocean.
A PREDICTED OCEAN
A predicted ocean where society has the capacity to understand current and future ocean conditions.
A HEALTHY AND RESILIENT OCEAN
A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are mapped and protected.
AN ACCESSIBLE OCEAN
An accessible ocean with good governance, open access to data, information and technologies.
A PRODUCTIVE OCEAN
A sustainably harvested and productive ocean ensuring the provision of food supply.
