The 2024 Ocean Decade Conference will be hosted by the Government of Spain in Barcelona from 10-12 April 2024 and will bring together the global Ocean Decade community and partners to celebrate and take stock of progress, and set joint priorities for the future. Join the Global Ocean Observing System in exploring the forefront of ocean science and innovation during an entire Ocean Decade Week taking place on 8-12 April 2024 throughout the city.
Download the GOOS 2024 Ocean Decade Week flyer here!
Ocean observing events during the 2024 Ocean Decade Week
8 April 2024 – Off-site events
- GOOS Regional Alliance Forum XI (Day 1) – INVITATION ONLY
09.00 – 18.00 (CEST) | A4, World Trade Center
The 11th GOOS Regional Alliance Forum (GRF-XI) represents an opportunity to engage in person with experts and partners, and underscore the contributions of GOOS Regional Alliances (GRAs) and observing system partners to GOOS and the Ocean Decade. The key objectives are to: discuss the progress and challenges of the GRAs over the last two to three years; examine and explore how GRAs are engaged and contributing to the Ocean Decade, the GOOS Strategy 2030, the GOOS Programmes/projects and other GOOS initiatives; discuss strategies to strengthen and revitalize GRAs and improve how they deliver data, products and services to the benefit of partners and users; discuss how GRAs can engage more effectively with other GOOS structures, panels and GOOS National Focal Points, SIDS, Africa, as well as the private sector and industries; discuss and agree on GRA priorities, actions and leadership (Chair and Vice-Chairs) for the next two years.
Contact: Denis Chang Seng, d.chang-seng@unesco.org; Emily Smith, e.smith1@unesco.org - A dialogue between stakeholders of the ocean observation community identifying common priorities and challenges to respond to global objectives 2030
16:00 – 18:00 (CEST) | Museu Marítim de Barcelona
The event is designed to address the shared challenges and priorities of the ocean observation community and aim to achieve the ambitious global objectives set for 2030. It will spotlight the importance of data accessibility, accuracy, and interoperability across the various facets of oceanographic research and observation. Discussions will range from the intricacies of research infrastructure to the technological advancements in oceanographic vessels, emphasizing the critical role of data in advancing ocean science and management.
More information
Contact: Jaume Piera, project_coordination@minke.eu
9 April 2024 – Off-site events
- GOOS Regional Alliance Forum XI (Day 2)
09.00 – 18.00 (CEST) | A4, World Trade Center
The 11th GOOS Regional Alliance Forum (GRF-XI) represents an opportunity to engage in person with experts and partners, and underscore the contributions of GOOS Regional Alliances (GRAs) and observing system partners to GOOS and the Ocean Decade. The key objectives are to: discuss the progress and challenges of the GRAs over the last two to three years; examine and explore how GRAs are engaged and contributing to the Ocean Decade, the GOOS Strategy 2030, the GOOS Programmes/projects and other GOOS initiatives; discuss strategies to strengthen and revitalize GRAs and improve how they deliver data, products and services to the benefit of partners and users; discuss how GRAs can engage more effectively with other GOOS structures, panels and GOOS National Focal Points, SIDS, Africa, as well as the private sector and industries; discuss and agree on GRA priorities, actions and leadership (Chair and Vice-Chairs) for the next two years.
Contact: Denis Chang Seng, d.chang-seng@unesco.org; Emily Smith, e.smith1@unesco.org - CoastPredict General Assembly
8:00 – 17:30 (CEST) | Barcelona School of Civil Engineering
More information
Contact: Mairéad O’Donovan, mairead.odonovan@cmcc.it - Digital DEPTH
9:30 – 11:00 (CEST) | Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona
The Digital DEPTH workshop is a groundbreaking initiative that delves into the four types of deep-sea habitats: seamounts, mid-ocean ridges, continental slopes and abyssal plains. These unique ecosystems are not only essential to the planet’s biodiversity but also increasingly vulnerable to human activities and global environmental changes. The Digital DEPTH is to strengthen our capacity to observe, simulate and map these deep-sea environments, ultimately fostering a harmonious balance between deep-sea conservation and sustainable development.
Contact: Pengbin Want, oceandecade@sio.org.cn - Unifying the air-sea interactions community
10:00 – 13:30 (CEST) | Media-TIC
The purpose of this event, co-organized by endorsed Ocean Decade Programme Observing Air-Sea Interactions Strategy (OASIS) and the Surface Ocean Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS), is to make progress toward expanding the current network of air-sea communities and integrating marine technologies and modeling through a joint initiative. The event will showcase OASIS and SOLAS efforts, forge partnerships with other Decade Programmes, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. We will align with conference goals to increase scientific knowledge, identify critical science and policy priorities, celebrate Decade accomplishments, contribute to the Ocean Decade Vision 2030, and develop research capacity and scale-up ocean action using science-based solutions.
Contact: Joan Llort, joan.llort@bsc.es, Masha Edmondson, medmondson@ucar.edu - Beyond climate change: Sustained observation in support of the blue economy
11:30 – 13:00 (CEST) | Natural Sciences Museum of Barcelona
This workshop, co-hosted by several experts, goes beyond one-off efforts to explore the critical role of continuous ocean observation focusing on three key themes: (1) data-driven decision-making: exploring how ocean data enhances sustainable resource management and the blue economy. Strategies for effective data integration will be shared; (2) public-private synergy: highlighting collaboration between sectors for continuous ocean observation and blue growth; and (3) global collaboration: sharing best practices and tech advancements for international cooperation in ocean observation. Join us to advance continuous observation for a prosperous blue economy.
Contact: Sara Granchinho, sara.granchinho@eurocean.org - Technologies in sustainable ocean observations
12:00 – 14:00 (CEST) | Room 9+10, World Trade Center
Many technology challenges exist when it comes to observing and monitoring the ocean. Dismantling these barriers and identifying opportunities towards achieving a mature and vibrant Ocean Observing Enterprise is the focus of this event. This event will bring together the stakeholder and scientific community, private sector, industry and policymakers to discuss and elevate the challenges and opportunities in this area. Through a brief introductory presentation and a panel, we will be discussing opportunities for low cost technologies and private sector and industry engagement in new technology development, followed by an opportunity to interact, foster connections and discuss cross collaborative efforts.
More information
Contact: Ann-Christine Zinkann, ann-christine.zinkann@noaa.gov - Empowering science, policy and society through co-design for sustainable ocean development
14:30 – 16:45 (CEST) | Sala d’Actes Ramon Margalef, Institut de Ciències del Mar
How can co-design support social inclusion and ocean sustainability? This workshop will provide a space for dialogue and learning on the importance of working across the science-policy-society interface for sustainable ocean development. Comprising inspirational examples (from different perspectives on co-design), followed by working groups, it will showcase how co-designed transformative ocean science and knowledge has contributed to sustainable ocean development. Participants will be empowered to integrate co-design across the lifecycle of their projects. They will also be eligible to apply for small pilot action grants to put the learnings of the workshop into practice over the months following.
Contact: David Whyte, david.whyte@ucc.ie - Science / Industry partnerships for data collection and sharing
15:00 – 16:30 (CEST) | Rooms S2+S3+S4, World Trade Center
The workshop will develop a greater understanding/involvement of the science community regarding the value, benefits, opportunities and practice of collaborating with industry on data collection: (1) SO-SI program of engaging companies with vessels/platforms to host or deploy instruments to collect data; (2) opportunities, benefits and challenges to industry involvement in data collection; (3) role and interaction between science and industry in data collection; (4) case studies of science/industry collaboration in data collection; (5) best practices and tools for optimally engaging science community collaboration with industry on data collection; and (6) input from the science community on needs, issues, concerns and opportunities for industry data collection.
Contact: Paul Holthus, paul.holthus@oceancouncil.org - The Data we need for the Ocean we care for
17:00 – 18.30 (CEST) | Rooms S9+S10, World Trade Center
Data collection, analysis and application are key enablers for ocean data innovation. Data integration/interoperability is needed. A workshop organised as an off-site event of the 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference, 9 April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, will deep dive into cases of success in data sharing practices from European research infrastructures, and how to maximise this potential at global level for contributing to the SDGs and the Digital Twins of the Ocean programmes.
More information
Contact: Sara Pittonet Gaiarin, s.pittonet@trust-itservices.com
10 April 2024 – On-site events
Barcelona International Convention Centre
- How will Ocean Decade biological observation programmes address the Vision 2030 recommendations for Challenge 2 “Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity”?
13:15 – 14:45 (CEST) | Caribbean Sea Room 124+125
This workshop aims to bring together the communities contributing to two major Ocean Decade Programmes addressing biological and biodiversity observations in the ocean and coastal waters: the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) and Marine Life 2030 (ML2030). While the Ocean Decade is now developing a broad (and growing) portfolio of Projects that are grouped under broader thematic Programmes, there has so far been little scope for interaction and collaboration between Programmes. This joint event will explore recommendations of the Vision 2030 Challenge 2 White paper, supporting common solutions for collective impact.
Contact: Sophie Seeyave, ssve@pml.ac.uk
11 April 2024 – On-site events
Barcelona International Convention Centre
- The seabed data we need for the ocean we want
8:30 – 9:45 (CEST) | One Ocean Room
This event will examine the benefits of increased investment in ocean mapping and will explore the economic value chains that seabed data underpins. It will feature case studies on countries gathering ocean data, its economic effects and data strategy development. The event will launch a report on IHO and OECD work on seafloor mapping and the ocean economy and will examine the requirements for a sustainable framework for global seabed mapping. The goal is to provide an evidence base to support the large scale investment necessary to provide the seabed data we need for the ocean we want.
Contact: Sarah Jones Couture, sarah.jones.couture@iho.int - Co-designing ocean observing for the tropics
13:15 – 14:45 (CEST) | Southern Ocean Room (133+134)
Building a transformative and solutions-oriented ocean observing system is critical to the success of the UN Ocean Decade. The design of such systems should follow the principles of co-design, working with stakeholders across the value chain and integrating their needs into the process. We will discuss these principles and observational needs of (a) a pan-tropical observing system; (b) a suite of “exemplars” including boundary currents, tropical cyclones, and marine carbon. Our event will commence with a short presentation followed by a “speed-dating” session. Attendees will meet with focus-area leadership to discuss regional involvement and collaborations from across the value-chain.
More information
Contact: Ann-Christine Zinkann, ann-christine.zinkann@noaa.gov - Coastal Futures: Charting priorities for resilience
13:15 – 14:45 (CEST) | Sargasso Sea Room (131+132)
Building on the strategic objectives of the Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience, this event will feature coastal community stories and recent insights, including the release of the European Knowledge Hub on Sea Level Rise’s first assessment report and Sea’ties’ policy recommendations for coastal cities’ adaptation to sea level rise. The public launch of CoastPredict’s GlobalCoast initiative will showcase an ambitious collaboration between Pilot Site, private and Programme partners to establish an integrated coastal ocean observing and predicting system, accelerated by innovative computing capacity. Audience input is central to this event to identify priorities for communities and equitable coastal resilience.
More information
Contact: Mairéad O’Donovan, mairead.odonovan@cmcc.it - How to harness private sector data to boost ocean science and drive a sustainable ocean economy – Guidelines and benefits
13:15 – 14:45 (CEST) | Baltic Sea Room (122+123)
This event will highlight the need and the benefits of harnessing industry-owned ocean data to fill priority data gaps. Expected improvements in ocean knowledge, modelling and prediction using this data will benefit scientists, businesses and policymakers alike and underpin the blue economy. We will demonstrate this through two use cases focusing on bathymetry and biodiversity data, while providing guidelines for private companies and government organizations to mainstream this process. We will also take stock of industry’s role in this ocean data enterprise to date and discuss with industry leaders how to incentivize data sharing in a variety of industries.
Contact: Louis Demargne, l.demargne@unesco.org - [MAIN PROGRAMME] Session 3 – Science and Solutions for a Safe and Predicted Ocean: Focusing on Challenges 6, 7 and 8 – Coastal Resilience, Observations, Data and Predictions
15:00 – 18:00 (CEST) | One Ocean Room
Each of these sessions will comprise a plenary session taking place in the One Ocean Room (plenary room), followed by parallel sessions. The plenary sessions will commence with a keynote speaker followed by a moderated roundtable discussion providing an overview of achievements, future opportunities and remaining challenges for the issues in question, thus setting the scene for the discussions in the parallel sessions.
The following parallel sessions, entitled ‘Science Solutions Forums’, will start with a presentation of the key elements of the Vision 2030 White Paper for the relevant Challenge and be followed by a series of oral presentations from Decade and non-Decade partners on innovative science-society solutions that are contributing to or aligned with the Challenge. The parallel sessions will close with a moderated interactive dialogue to develop key recommendations from the session for reporting back to plenary.