Ocean

Conserving the diversity of life on Earth and ocean health is critical to global human welfare, yet essential resources are at risk from the direct results of unsustainable practices. Sustainable development cannot be achieved by technological solutions, political regulation or financial instruments alone. We need to change the way we think and act.

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) is the United Nations body responsible for supporting global ocean science and services. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together to protect the health of our shared ocean by coordinating programmes in areas such as ocean observations, tsunami warnings and marine spatial planning.

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Latest stories

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Ocean Decade dives into action

April 7, 2022

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Four nations decide to create huge transboundarymarine biosphere reserve

March 31, 2022

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Rare coral reef discovered near Tahiti by a UNESCO mission

January 20, 2022

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New Zealand, India, Ecuador and Colombia enhance their tsunami readiness

January 18, 2022

Oceans Day was first declared as 8 June, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro at the Global Forum, a parallel event at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) which provided an opportunity for non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society to express their views on environmental issues.

Ocean and UNESCO Action in numbers

1960

Birth of UNESCO’s IOC

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

$3 Trillion

The projected value of ocean economy by 2030

23%

of humankind’s carbon dioxide emissions

are absorbed by the ocean annually.

156,789

marine species recorded

in the UNESCO Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).

Recognizing that underwater cultural heritage is largely undervalued, the 2001 Convention provides a common legally binding framework for States Parties on how to better identify, research and protect their underwater heritage while ensuring its preservation and sustainability

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