IMarEST at the UN Ocean Decade conference: where science meets world

With its tagline of ‘The science we need for the ocean we want’, it seems the UN Ocean Decade, 2021-2030, was created with IMarEST in mind.

The UN Ocean Decade aims to bring together scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to stimulate scientific endeavour and knowledge generation to reverse declines in ocean health and create new opportunities for sustainable development.

But while there are many scientific papers delving into oceanic themes big and small, translating those understandings into practical solutions and workable policy initiatives is proving a greater challenge.

“When seeking solutions to meeting the sustainable development goals, it’s hard to reach across domains and disciplines and get people to talk to each other in a common language,” says Ralph Rayner, Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate and the Environment and co-chair of the IMarEST Operational Oceanography Special Interest Group (SIG).

“There are lots of barriers to overcome, but this is where IMarEST can contribute to the debate because it operates at the interface between engineering, science, [and] technology.”

Some of the most immediate priorities on the UN Ocean Decade agenda include tackling marine pollution, the protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity, developing sustainable fishing and an equitable ocean economy. Priorities also include unlocking ocean-based solutions to climate change, increasing community resilience to ocean hazards, and expanding the global ocean observing system. These are all topics of interest to the SIGs.

There’s also a focus on changing humanity’s relationship with the ocean; after all, the planet we all call home is more ocean than land. And it seems this change is already underway. Recent alarm at extreme weather events means the ocean is now back in public consciousness in a way it perhaps hasn’t been for many years.

“The ocean is getting more attention than in the past because there’s now greater recognition of the critical role the ocean plays in controlling and moderating our climate and also the potential for ocean-based mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions,” notes Rayner.

Bringing together the brightest minds

The 2024 UN Ocean Decade conference falls on 10-12 April and is taking place in the coastal city of Barcelona, Spain, representing a useful staging post of this decade-long ocean focus. There is also a series of satellite events from 8-12 April.

The opening sessions of the main event will pull together heads of state, leaders of UN agencies, business leaders and NGOs along with scientists and researchers from leading institutions around the world. There will also be representatives from indigenous and human rights groups.

The key, of course, is to ensure all this effort results in real-world outcomes rather than a well-meaning talking shop.

Here, IMarEST can play an important role, with the Institute co-hosting and particpating in side events designed to connect the dots and accelerate innovation.

The Innovation in Ocean Policy event will highlight ocean policy challenges and opportunities at regional and international levels, while another side event is being delivered by the UN Ocean Decade Technology and Innovation Working Group.

IMarEST is also co-hosting a session on Funding & Resources for Innovators, which will feature both early career ocean professionals (ECOPs) who have raised finance, and others such as private philanthropic organisations and donors to discuss leveraging and awarding funding. 

Targeting the important nexus of where science meets technologists, engineering and finance, these events and sessions are designed to help embolden innovators to deliver real-world solutions that are aligned with sustainable development goals.

There’s no registration fee to participate in the conference although a modest donation to a travel fund to support selected participants from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and ECOPs is requested.

Discover more about the UN Ocean Decade conference.

IMarEST at the UN Ocean Decade conference*:

* Locations and timings subject to confirmation

If you are attending, come along to the IMarEST booth located in the main venue.

Main image: Container ship travels across the water; credit: Shutterstock