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United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)

Canada is collaborating domestically and internationally to support the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (“Ocean Decade”). Together, we aim to improve ocean health and sustainability through science, infrastructure, partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

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About the Ocean Decade

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (“Ocean Decade”) runs from 2021 to 2030. It aims to transform ocean sciences to produce actionable knowledge and solutions in support of a healthy and sustainable ocean.

Canada’s contribution

Canada contributes to the UN Ocean Decade through four key pillars:

Canada’s contribution
Pillar What Canada is Doing
Science & Knowledge
  • Investing in ocean science programs addressing biodiversity, climate change, marine ecosystems.
  • Released *Canada’s Oceans Now, 2020* report - a national assessment of physical environment, species, and food webs.
  • Advancement of ocean observation, modelling and forecasting to better understand and predict ocean changes.
Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Supporting the Ocean Decade Office and national nodes like the Canadian Node of Global Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs).
  • Facilitating platforms such as Oceans Research in Canada Alliance (ORCA).
  • Promoting development and sharing of data technologies, open data tools, marine spatial mapping.
Partnership & Governance
  • Mobilizing multi-stakeholder engagement via the Canada Ocean Decade Community of Champions.
  • Engaging Indigenous partners, academics, NGOs, private sector in projects and committees.
  • Collaborating internationally through the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO), the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA), the Commonwealth Blue Charter, the Charlevoix Blueprint, and the Galway Statement on Atlantic Cooperation.
Policy & Strategy Alignment
  • Supporting and developing Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy to grow marine sectors sustainably.
  • Endorsing international initiatives such as the Ocean Plastics Charter.
  • Aligning efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • Committing financial resources: up to $9.5 million announced in 2018 to support the Decade.

Actions and initiatives

Canada supports and leads a variety of projects under the Ocean Decade. Below are key actions (see projects page for details).

Title Description Years Lead organization

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