UN Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development
The United Nations has decided to focus on marine research and sustainability in 2021-2030. The aim is for the decade to improve the health of the world's oceans and strengthen the conditions for the sustainable development of oceans and coasts. This requires international recognition of the important role of science in strengthening the link between the ocean and the 2030 Agenda.
Objectives for the Decade
Through stronger international cooperation, the Decade will strengthen scientific research and innovative technologies to ensure that science meets society's needs:
- A clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified, reduced or eliminated.
- A healthy and resilient ocean where the management of marine ecosystems is based on sound knowledge.
- A sustainably productive ocean that ensures food security and a sustainable blue economy.
- A predictable ocean where society has the ability to understand and predict changing ocean conditions.
- A safe ocean where lives and livelihoods are protected from ocean-related hazards.
- A transparent and accessible ocean with equal and open access to data, information, technology and innovation.
- An inspiring and engaging ocean where society understands and values the oceans in relation to sustainable development and human well-being.
Find out more on the official website of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Sweden's role
Formas, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, SMHI and Sida have been commissioned by the Government to plan Swedish priorities and activities. They have proposed four focus areas for Swedish work.
- Ecosystem-based ocean management
- Data modelling
- Ocean awareness
- Innovation and digitalisation
This requires knowledge of how ecosystems function and interact, which in turn requires observational data and models that can be tested and used to predict the effects of measures and changes.
This knowledge also needs to be disseminated, so that both citizens and elected politicians are aware of how the ocean works and affects our lives.
Finally, innovation is necessary to use the oceans sustainably and realise their full potential for sustainable food production, energy production, transport and more.
University of Gothenburg contribution
Through the Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment, the Centre for Sea and Society assists in planning Swedish participation in the UN Decade of Ocean Research.
The university has initiatives that link to all four Swedish focus areas. Some of these initiatives are: