On World Oceans Day, 8 June 2017, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission presented the first ever global stock-taking of marine science at the United Nations’ Ocean Conference in New York.

The Global Ocean Science Report identifies and quantifies the key elements of ocean science at the national, regional and global scales, including workforce, infrastructure and publications. It is the first collective attempt to systematically highlight opportunities as well as capacity gaps to advance international collaboration in ocean science and technology.

Developed as a resource for policy-makers, academics and other stakeholders seeking to harness the potential of ocean science to address global challenges, the Report makes a case for increased funding in view of the ocean’s economic importance and key role in regulating the climate.

To be published every five years, the inaugural Report also serves as an instrument to assess progress in the accomplishment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 on the conservation and use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.

The full Report, in English, as well as the Executive Summary, in the six official UN languages, are available online here.

For further information please contact:

Salvatore Arico s.arico@unesco.org

Kirsten Isensee      k.isensee@unesco.org