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Main image: Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain
As part of the Ocean Decade Conference of Barcelona (10-12 April), during Ocean Decade Week, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is organising a series of initiatives in the Catalan capital aimed at taking stock of progress made to date, three years after the launch of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
The aim of the United Nations resolution, adopted in 2017, is to raise awareness among the scientific community, governments, the private sector and civil society through a joint research and technological innovation programme for a clean and healthy ocean.
The Ocean Decade Conference of Barcelona will be the stage for the programme of side events developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, which has taken a central role in organising moments of discussion to increase awareness of the crucial challenges related to the protection and conservation of the ocean.
In the days leading up to the conference, the Ocean&Climate Village interactive exhibition will be held from 06-12 April at the Port Olímpic of Barcelona.
This exposition debuted in 2021 in Milan and has since travelled all over the world, offering visitors an engaging and educational experience on the crucial link between the ocean and climate.
Through scientific exhibitions, hands-on activities and screenings, visitors will have the opportunity to dive deep into topics related to the nexus between the ocean and climate, analyse the role of the ocean in the global climate system and outline challenges and solutions to address climate change and ocean conservation.
The exhibition will also feature the temporary exhibition ‘Watch and Listen: Children share their Blue Education experiences!’, realised in collaboration with the EU Blue Schools from the EU4Ocean Coalition as best practice in engaging younger generations and raising awareness to create the future custodians of the ocean.
On 08 and 09 April, the Ocean Literacy Dialogues will take place at the World Trade Centre of Barcelona,.
This series of public events will bring together experts, academics and institutional representatives to examine the results achieved to date and define future projects within the framework of the Ocean Decade Conference.
‘The Ocean Decade Conference represents a crucial moment to take stock of what has been done so far to improve the understanding of the ocean and develop new solutions for sustainable management aimed at protecting marine resources and contain the forces that threaten them.
‘The Ocean Literacy Dialogues will be an opportunity to discuss themes related to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with particular reference to initiatives and collaborations implemented and those yet to be implemented across sectors to facilitate, develop, and expand programs for ocean conservation, always placing the role of scientific research at the centre.’
FRANCESCA SANTORO
Senior programme officer of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission UNESCO
During the two days of work, participants will analyse ongoing initiatives, evaluate challenges, propose innovative strategies and concrete actions to promote greater knowledge about the ocean and address issues related to its health and sustainability.
With the start of the Ocean Decade Conference on 10 April, a parallel event is scheduled to present both the discussions held in the Ocean Literacy Dialogues initiative and the outcomes of the Communications Symposium.
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