Ocean solutions for biodiversity: How the Ocean Decade is contributing to a sustainable and resilient future
Paris/Cali, 27 October – As the Sixteenth Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity unfolds in Cali, Colombia, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’) has released “An Ocean of Life: How the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development is Supporting Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework”. The publication showcases how targeted initiatives under the Ocean Decade are advancing the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) through transformative ocean actions.
Click here to read the publication.
Launched on the occasion of Ocean Day at COP16, ‘An Ocean of Life’ features a wide array of initiatives from endorsed Decade Actions focused on preserving, restoring, and managing marine biodiversity. The examples aim to serve as a foundation for discussions and negotiations at COP16 and beyond that will inform implementation of the GBF and inspire continued global action for the ocean.
“The ocean cuts across nearly all aspects of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, connecting peoples, cultures, economies, and ecosystems,” said Julian Barbière, Head of Marine Policy and Regional Coordination at UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and Global Coordinator of the Ocean Decade. “While these stories cannot capture the full scope of the Ocean Decade’s impact—with over 600 endorsed Actions to date—they represent a compelling testament to our shared commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity and supporting the communities who depend on it.”
Biodiversity is a cross-cutting issue in the Ocean Decade, underpinning all ten Decade Challenges. Its Challenge 2 specifically addresses the biodiversity-relevant aspects of ocean science and knowledge, aiming to enhance our understanding of ocean ecosystem changes and foster global cooperation for sustainable ocean management, in line with GBF targets.
Empowering change: Showcasing success stories of biodiversity in action
How can we better protect cetaceans from human-generated noise, leverage eDNA technology for biodiversity protection, and engage youth and local communities in managing coastal ecosystems and marine protected areas? Structured around the GBF targets, ‘An Ocean of Life’ illustrates the complementarities between the Ocean Decade and the GBF through concrete examples focused on priority biodiversity action areas identified in the Vision 2030 process. This includes enhancing tools for ecosystem-based management, expanding and sustaining biodiversity monitoring and observations, and advancing ocean literacy, capacity development, and ocean science infrastructure.
The success stories demonstrate how Decade Actions for biodiversity are driving change—shaping knowledge and policies, empowering communities, and redefining citizen engagement. They emphasize the role of environmental and biodiversity data and its open access for marine biodiversity protection. With the ocean facing mounting threats of deoxygenation and acidification, Decade Actions are going beyond traditional approaches to develop effective ocean monitoring and mitigation mechanisms. The publication offers a blueprint for innovative strategies in sustainable fisheries, advancements in taxonomy, and the protection of wild marine animals. In a step towards inclusivity, the initiatives integrate the voices of Indigenous peoples and local communities into the decision-making process, ensuring that ocean stewardship reflects local needs, traditional knowledge, and human rights.
‘An Ocean of Life’ builds on the Policy Brief “Ocean science for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use: How the Ocean Decade supports the CBD and the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” that was launched at COP15 in 2022 when the GBF was being negotiated, highlighting ongoing efforts from the Ocean Decade community towards marine preservation, climate adaptation, and resource management.
Click here to read the publication.
For more information, please contact:
Ocean Decade Communications Team ([email protected])
About the Ocean Decade:
Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.
About the UNESCO-IOC:
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.