Decade of Deep-Ocean Action

The Issue: The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to boost international coordination and cooperation in research and scientific programmes for better management of ocean resources. The Decade will galvanise collaboration to fill knowledge gaps in support of sustainable development – the lack of fundamental knowledge in the deep-ocean has been highlighted as a priority. In 2018, IOC-UNESCO began the coordination of the Decade’s preparatory process, including a concerted implementation plan. In this preparatory stage, it is crucial to identify key priorities for deep ocean science to support sustainable development.

The Working Group: The Decade working group aims to provide input to the implementation of the Decade in relation to the deep-ocean science, particularly in the field of deep-sea ecology. It currently has over 300 members from around the globe.

    • Act as the interface between the UN and the deep sea science community to prepare for and implement the Decade in the deep-ocean, at global and regional levels.
    • Promotion of international coordination and cooperation in deep-sea ecology research and scientific programmes.
    • Challenger 150 – Proposed UN Ocean Decade Programme for deep-sea biological research. Find papers below in Past Activities.
    • Raising awareness about the need of fundamental science to increase our understanding of the deep-ocean and to provide tools for its sustainable use.
    • Development of an international and global deep-sea ecology programme with measurable targets.
    • Compilation of a list of ongoing international collaborative deep-ocean programmes and how they meet the Decade objectives.
    • Engagement with representatives of IOC member States and presentation of the WG to the IOC.
    • Provision of guidelines and goals for the implementation of the Decade in the deep-ocean.
    • Public outreach product (video/flyer) about the need of exploration and fundamental research to achieve sustainable development outcomes.
    • Preparation for attending 2nd Global Planning Meeting for UN Decade (March 2020, Paris) – Cancelled COVID-19.
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  • Collaborate with us to advance deep-sea climate science. Engage in meetings, contribute to policy briefs and publications, and participate in international events.

    WG members are encouraged to actively engage with WG communications and meetings, as these are where further information will be provided on workshops, outputs such as policy briefs and publications, as well as event attendance. Please note: DOSI Ambassadors who are involved key meetings are selected according to our DOSI internal policy and at the discretion of the WG leads. 

    Get Involved

Working Group Leads
Untitled design (22)

University of Aveiro, Portugal

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