2 August 2019: Held in the North Pacific and Western Pacific Marginal Seas region, the second regional workshop on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) discussed solution-focused research strategies. Over 160 participants from 18 countries contributed to the three-day workshop by reflecting on science actions and identifying opportunities to support the Decade’s objectives and six societal outcomes.

The Decade is galvanizing ocean stakeholders around the world behind a common framework to ensure that ocean science supports countries in achieving the SDGs, and it is supporting efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health. Its six societal outcomes include a clean ocean, a healthy and resilient ocean, a predicted ocean, a safe ocean, a sustainably harvested and productive ocean, and a transparent ocean, and accessible ocean.

Participants referred to the Decade as a “once-in-in a lifetime opportunity to shape a better ocean science agenda.”

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) organized the workshop, which took place in Tokyo, Japan, to prepare for the upcoming Decade through engagement with different stakeholders in the region. According to UNESCO, the North and West Pacific region has a population of more than three billion people, making it the most densely populated area in the world. Activities that threaten the health and productivity of the ocean in the region include land-based pollution, increasing economic development and non-sustainable resource extraction, climate change, and habitat destruction. Human activities have also impacted local marine ecosystems and coastal waters.

Workshop participants shared their perspective on the Decade, underscoring it as a “once-in-in a lifetime opportunity to shape a better ocean science agenda” and connect ocean science more closely to society. The workshop agreed on a range of actions and partnerships to promote the sustainable development of the worlds’ oceans.

The UN held the first regional consultation on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) in the South Pacific region, from 23-25 July 2019. [UNESCO Press Release] [Ocean Decade Press Release] [Decade Website] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Pacific Regional Consultation on Ocean Decade]