Due to the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 virus, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030): Western Tropical Atlantic Regional Workshop Organizing Committee, together with the local host, have decided to host this workshop virtually instead of face to face meeting. The event will provide a two-day virtual forum to gather ocean leaders/champions/key stakeholders to further discuss and prioritize the issues identified at the First Global Planning Meeting.

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Following the First Global Planning Meeting, held in May, in Denmark, a Western Tropical Atlantic Workshop will be convened in April 28-29, 2020. This event is being hosted by the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM) and co-organized by the Government of Mexico with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) as coordinating body for the Decade and the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention (UN Environment).

The Western Tropical Atlantic Regional Workshop offers a crucial opportunity to co-design mission-oriented ocean research strategies in line with the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SGD 14, the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean, and the SAMOA Pathway.

It will aim to identify:
-Knowledge gaps and regional ocean science priorities for the 2030 Agenda
-Existing relevant partnerships/networks/initiatives and potential ones/interested partners
-Priorities in capacity-development/training-Priority themes and topics to be addressed by the Decade
-Other regional initiatives and meetings to be aligned with the Decade.

This workshop will be part of a continued global dialogue throughout 2020 via conference side-events, further thematic workshops and the Decade Online Community Platform to inform the planning of the Decade. The Decade of Ocean Science is an inclusive and truly global initiative, and broad engagement will be key to success.