UNOC3: DOSI Green Zone Side Event
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:00 (Europe/Paris) | Auditorium, Citadelle de Villefranche, France
UNOC3 DOSI Green Zone Side Event

You will need a ticket to attend this event. Tickets are free and available here.
A light snack and drinks will be provided.
Title: Safeguarding Deep-Sea Biodiversity and the Climate: Integrating Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future
Session ID: 065
Date: Thursday 12 May 2025
Time: 5-7 pm
Venue: Auditorium, Citadelle de Villefranche
Panel:
• TBC
Moderator:
• TBC
Additional partners/experts in audience:
• TBC
Abstract: The deep ocean contains over 90 percent of the living space for life on Earth, and the remarkable diversity and collective actions of its inhabitants are critical for human and planetary well-being. While it can seem remote and unchanging, deep-sea biodiversity faces clear and increasing threats from human activities such as deep-sea mining, fishing, pollution, and proposed ocean-based climate change mitigation options, as well as from climate change itself. To ensure ocean ecosystems can continue to support a liveable planet, biodiversity, climate and sustainability goals must be aligned. This may require new and enhanced governance partnerships and policy solutions, informed by impartial, up-to-date ocean science. This is becoming especially important in light of the new challenges faced by the global science community and established governance structures. In this session, a panel of deep-sea scientists and policy experts will shine a light on linkages between the many different ocean governance processes that can benefit from a greater understanding of how the deep ocean works. There is a growing recognition that joined-up thinking is required at the nexus of biodiversity, climate, food, health and water, to ensure effective and sustainable management across sectors, supported by robust international laws. A new and unprecedented level of science and policy diplomacy will be required for success.

UNOC3: DOSI Blue Zone Side Event
2025-06-13 10:30 - 11:30 (Europe/Paris) | UNOC3 Blue Zone Room 3, Nice, France
UNOC3 DOSI Blue Zone Side Event

Title: Safeguarding Deep-Sea Biodiversity and the Climate: Integrating Science and Policy for a Sustainable Future
Session ID: 123
Date: Friday 13 June 2025
Time: 10:30-11:45 am
Venue: Room 3
Panel:
• Annette Gibbons – DFO Deputy Minister, Canada
• Arnoldo André Tinoco – Minister of Foreign Affairs & Culture, Costa Rica
• Vidar Helgesen – Executive Secretary IOC-UNESCO
• Grethel Aguilar – Director General IUCN
• Anna Metaxas and Lisa Levin – Deep-sea scientists
Moderator:
• Christine Gaebel – BBNJ expert
Additional partners/experts in audience:
• Representatives/experts from AOSIS, Scripps, MBARI, OCP, IPBES, IPOS, science.
Abstract: The deep ocean contains over 90 percent of the living space for life on Earth, and the remarkable diversity and collective actions of its inhabitants are critical for human and planetary well-being. While it can seem remote and unchanging, deep-sea biodiversity faces clear and increasing threats from human activities such as deep-sea mining, fishing, pollution, and proposed ocean-based climate change mitigation options, as well as from climate change itself. To ensure ocean ecosystems can continue to support a liveable planet, biodiversity, climate and sustainability goals must be aligned. This may require new and enhanced governance partnerships and policy solutions, informed by impartial, up-to-date ocean science. This is becoming especially important in light of the new challenges faced by the global science community and established governance structures. In this session, a panel of deep-sea scientists and policy experts will shine a light on linkages between the many different ocean governance processes that can benefit from a greater understanding of how the deep ocean works. There is a growing recognition that joined-up thinking is required at the nexus of biodiversity, climate, food, health and water, to ensure effective and sustainable management across sectors, supported by robust international laws. A new and unprecedented level of science and policy diplomacy will be required for success.

June Climate Meetings (SB 62)
2025-06-16 - 2025-06-26 | Bonn, Germany, Germany

ISA 30 Part II
2025-06-23 - 2025-07-25 | Jamaica, Jamaica
The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority Part II

Part II

Legal and Technical Commission
23 June – 4 July 2025

Finance Committee
2 – 4 July 2025

Council
7 – 18 July 2025

Assembly
21 July – 25 July 2025

IUCN World Conservation Congress
2025-10-09 - 2025-10-15 | Abu Dhabi
The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the largest gathering of nature conservation experts, leaders and decision-makers in the world. It will help shape global priorities for nature conservation and climate change for the coming decade and beyond.

Geneva Science Diplomacy Anticipation Summit
2025-10-15 - 2025-10-17
The 2025 Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit will be held from 15-17 October 2025 at CERN.
The Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit is the leading global platform where science meets diplomacy to drive impactful change. Held annually in Geneva since 2021, the GESDA Summit convenes 1000+ scientists, diplomats, policymakers, innovators, executives and citizens to explore how cutting-edge advancements can address humanity’s most pressing challenges. From quantum computing and neurotechnology to climate action and global health, the Summit fosters high-level dialogue and strategic collaborations that transform breakthrough science into real-world solutions.
Summit objectives:

Showcase cutting-edge scientific advancements and their associated opportunities in the next 5, 10 and 25 years
Strengthen the interface between science, diplomacy, the private sector and society to drive dialogue and collaboration on opportunities emerging from the labs
Foster multistakeholder communities of purpose to advance global solutions

What you can expect from this year’s GESDA Summit:

Anticipatory briefings from world-renowned scientists and academics on the 5, 10 and 25 year horizon of topics from GESDA’s Science Breakthrough Radar®.
Interactive discussions with decision-makers about the potential impact of scientific and technological breakthroughs for the future of people, society and our planet.
Closed-door workshops to advance GESDA’s most mature solution ideas and initiatives on quantum, space diplomacy, ecoaugmentation and more.
Political assessment from leaders around the globe about their contribution to anticipatory science and diplomacy.
Experiential demonstrations and role-play simulations.

Full programme, available here.
For more information click here.

Ocean Sciences Meeting - Glasgow, Scotland
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27
Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026
22–27 February 2026 | Glasgow, Scotland

DOSI will be actively participating in the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) 2026, one of the world’s largest and most influential gatherings of ocean scientists, policymakers, technologists, and practitioners. Held in Glasgow, the meeting provides a critical forum to advance ocean science and ensure it informs decision-making at a time of accelerating global change.
DOSI’s engagement at OSM 2026 reflects our commitment to ensuring that deep-ocean science is visible, integrated, and influential across research, governance, and policy discussions — from climate change and biodiversity to emerging technologies and management of human activities.
DOSI at OSM 2026
DOSI will contribute to the meeting through hosting a dedicated exhibition space (Booth #5) and a Town Hall session, presenting a poster, and by convening and supporting a wide range of sessions relevant to the deep ocean, spanning science, observation, governance, communication, and cumulative impacts.
DOSI Town Hall
Deep-Ocean Science as the Foundation for a Thriving Global Ocean (TH33F)
DOSI is hosting a Town Hall focused on the essential role of deep-ocean science in underpinning a healthy, resilient, and productive global ocean. This session will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss how deep-ocean knowledge supports effective ocean governance, informs international agreements, and enables sustainable management across areas within and beyond national jurisdiction.
The Town Hall will provide space for open discussion, community exchange, and identification of priorities for advancing deep-ocean science in support of global ocean goals.

Deep-Ocean Sessions at OSM 2026
OSM 2026 features a strong programme of sessions relevant to the deep-ocean community, including several convened or supported by DOSI working groups and members:

Climate Change in the Deep Sea: Impacts, Interventions, and Cumulative Stressors (CC14B): Convened by the DOSI Climate Change Working Group, this session explores how climate-driven changes interact with other pressures in deep-sea ecosystems.
Seamounts at the Nexus of Ocean Science (DS21A & DS24A): Convened by the DOSI Fisheries Working Group, these sessions highlight the ecological, biogeographic, and management importance of seamounts.
Creating Deep Impact: Strategic Alignments Across Deep Ocean Observing, Modelling, Exploration, and Technology (DS14A, DS31A & DS33A): Sessions focused on strengthening coordination across deep-ocean research infrastructures and approaches.
From High Seas to EEZs: The Role of Deep-Sea Science in Shaping Knowledge-Based Ocean Policy Decisions (DS34A): Examining how deep-sea science informs policy across jurisdictional boundaries.
Environmental Impacts of Deep-Sea Mining (HC34C & HC51A): Addressing scientific evidence, uncertainties, and policy relevance related to seabed mining activities.
The Deep-Pelagic Realm as a Nexus for Ecological Connectivity (ME24D): Exploring connectivity across depth zones and ecosystems.
Making the Invisible Visible: Communicating and Advancing Capacity of Overlooked and Undervalued Ocean Science (ED12A & ED14B): Sessions focused on science communication, equity, and capacity development.
Applying GIS to Analyze and Communicate Ocean Conditions (DO24A): Showcasing tools to support analysis and decision-making.
FathomNet: Accelerate Analysis of Ocean Visual Data (TH43D): Highlighting advances in image-based deep-ocean data analysis.

31st Session of the ISA (Part I), Legal and Technical Commission - Kingston, Jamaica
2026-02-23 - 2026-03-06

DOSI Town Hall at Ocean Sciences Meeting - Glasgow, Scotland
2026-02-25 12:45 - 13:45 UTC
DOSI Town Hall
Deep-Ocean Science as the Foundation for a Thriving Global Ocean (TH33F)
Wednesday 25 February 2026, 12:45-13:45
DOSI is hosting a Town Hall at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Glasgow, focused on the essential role of deep-ocean science in underpinning a healthy, resilient, and productive global ocean. This session will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss how deep-ocean knowledge supports effective ocean governance, informs international agreements, and enables sustainable management across areas within and beyond national jurisdiction.
The Town Hall will provide space for open discussion, community exchange, and identification of priorities for advancing deep-ocean science in support of global ocean goals.
The deep ocean is a vast Earth-spanning ecosystem, kilometres deep and continuously yielding new discoveries. It is also attracting increasing commercial attention. Nascent deep-sea mining and marine carbon dioxide removal industries are potential significant new pressures on top of ongoing impacts from climate change, fisheries and offshore energy extraction. We must shed light on these darkest areas of the ocean to safeguard their future. The context of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement and the UN Ocean Decade provide powerful international frameworks within which to rally a global community of deep-ocean stewards. The deep-ocean science community has already been proactive and successful in engaging with the UN Ocean Decade from the outset. This event gathers representatives of deep-ocean-focused Decade Actions to provide updates of their achievements, followed by discussions with the audience to identify future opportunities to enhance engagement of the community across the Decade. This call halfway through the Decade for further scientific participation in the future of global ocean sustainability and policy comes at a critical time, with momentum to generate much needed deep-ocean knowledge.

Moderators

Maria Baker – University of Southampton
Eva Zoe Ramirez-Llodra – REV Ocean

Presenters

Kirsty McQuaid – Nelson Mandela University
Fengping Wang – Shanghai JiaoTong University
Adrian Martin – National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Leslie M Smith – Your Ocean Consulting, LLC
Louise Allcock – University of Galway
Alison Wale – Uu-a-thluk, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

31st Session of the ISA (Part I), Council – Kingston, Jamaica
2026-03-09 - 2026-03-20
Reflective summary
DOSI participated in the first part of the 31st session of the Council of the International Seabed Authority (9–19 March 2026, Kingston, Jamaica), contributing scientific expertise to ongoing negotiations on regulations for deep-sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Throughout the session, DOSI provided independent, science-based input to support discussions on environmental protection, exploitation regulations, and key governance mechanisms. This included formal interventions and extensive engagement with state delegations and stakeholders on issues such as biodiversity, ecosystem functions, cumulative impacts, and the application of the precautionary approach.
The session highlighted the growing recognition of the importance of robust scientific evidence in shaping policy decisions related to the deep ocean. DOSI’s contributions were actively referenced in discussions and welcomed by multiple delegations, reinforcing the value of sustained scientific engagement in international processes.
As negotiations continue, DOSI remains committed to ensuring that deep-sea science informs decision-making and supports the effective protection and stewardship of ocean ecosystems.
Read the full blog for detailed insights from the session:
DOSI at the 31st session of the Council of ISA (Part I)

BBNJ Preparatory Commission 3 – New York, USA
2026-03-23 - 2026-04-02
DOSI will be sending a delegation to the BBNJ Preparatory Commission.
More details of our engagement with the event will follow soon.

UNFCCC June Climate Meetings SBI64 – Bonn, Germany
2026-06-08 - 2026-06-18
DOSI will be sending a delegation to UNFCCC SBI64.
More details of our engagement with the event will follow soon.

31st Session of the ISA (Part II), Legal and Technical Commission – Kingston, Jamaica
2026-06-29 - 2026-07-10

31st Session of the ISA (Part II), Finance Committee – Kingston, Jamaica
2026-07-07 - 2026-07-10

31st Session of the ISA (Part II), Council – Kingston, Jamaica
2026-07-13 - 2026-07-24

31st Session of the ISA (Part II), Assembly – Kingston, Jamaica
2026-07-27 - 2026-07-31
