Ocean Decade Conference 2024, Delivering the Science We Need for the Ocean We Want – 2024 will mark the fourth year of implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Under the leadership of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the Ocean Decade has already galvanized thousands of partners around the world to start delivering the science we need for the ocean we want.
Barcelona, Spain, is gearing up to become the world’s capital of the ocean for a week as it hosts the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference from April 10 to 12 at the Barcelona International Convention Center (CCIB), the highlight of an entire Ocean Decade Week running between April 8 and 12.
Within this framework, a groundbreaking gathering of international thought leaders, policymakers, scientists and advocates will come together to celebrate and evaluate the progress made four years into the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), or ‘Ocean Decade’, and set joint priorities for the future of the global movement.
The coference will be structured around three ke moments
• The high-level opening session (10 April in the morning) will feature commitments and announcements by Heads of State, leaders of UN agencies, and representatives of industry and philanthropy, as well as a plenary discussion on foundational elements of success for the Ocean Decade.
• The main part of Conference will be articulated around four thematic sessions based on groupings of the Ocean Decade Challenges, with a mix of plenary and parallel sessions to present the results of the Vision 2030 process and showcase science solutions that are contributing to sustainable development.
• The high-level closing session (12 April in the afternoon) will focus on resources and partnerships in the Ocean Decade as well as provide a platform for partner announcements. The closing segment will report the main outcomes of the Conference and a vision to 2030 for the Ocean Decade.
Bridging science and action: The ‘Scientific Solutions Forums’ at a glance
The programme of the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference will kick off with a diverse range of international speakers from all sectors of society discussing the Conditions of Success needed to achieve the Ocean Decade vision. This will be followed by four thematic sessions, each comprising a plenary session and various parallel sessions. Each plenary session will feature a keynote speaker and a panel discussion that will provide an overview of achievements, future opportunities and remaining challenges for the issues in question, setting the stage for discussions in parallel sessions. A total of 100 oral presentations are planned over the three days.
Over 100 opportunities to learn about, understand and be inspired by the ocean
-The first thematic session, titled Science and Solutions for a Clean, Healthy and Resilient Ocean, will address marine pollution, ecosystems and the ocean-climate nexus.
-The sustainable ocean economy and blue food will be the focus of the second session, titled Science and Solutions for a Sustainable and Resilient Ocean Economy.
-The third session of the Conference, Science and Solutions for a Safe and Predicted Ocean, will be dedicated to coastal resilience, observations, data and predictions; while the last session will delve into capacity development, ocean literacy, Indigenous and local knowledge and cultural heritage under the title An Inspiring and Engaging Ocean for All.
-A final plenary session will discuss the innovative Resources and Partnerships needed to realise to ambitions set out by the Conference.
Ocean Decade Conference 2024, Delivering the Science We Need for the Ocean We Want
