The UN Ocean Decade Conference is a global forum where governments, leaders, maritime sectors, universities, NGOs, the private sector, and civil society will meet and new collaborations will be fostered, spurred by rich dialogue between science, policy, and society. Explore the Schmidt Ocean Institute events and talks below, or click here to view the full 2024 Ocean Decade Conference schedule.
Monday, 8 April 2024
Communications Symposium
9:00-17:00 | A1 World Trade Center | Dr. Carlie Wiener
The symposium will support the development of ocean-climate communication best practice guidelines and associated resources as part of the Project ‘Advancing Strategic Ocean Communication‘. It will be a place to meet fellow communications professionals from across the world, and to exchange experience and expertise.
While the event is by invitation only, the organizers have planned two webinars in May to share findings and insights with those who were not present. Further information on the webinars will be made available soon. Learn more about the Advancing Strategic Ocean Communications Project.
Art for environmental advocacy: Discovering the deep sea through new forms of knowledge emerging from the exchange between art and science
19:00-21:00 | Disseny Hub Barcelona
Through talks, interviews, screenings, and more with artists, scientists, policymakers, and other oceanic practitioners, we will dive into the deep sea with an amphibious perspective, entangling scientific research with artistic inquiry and creating space for collective interdisciplinary discussion. In this immersive event, the program will include a film screening of Schmidt Ocean Institute Artist-at-Sea, Elena Alonso Fernández’s work, as well as interviews with artist Taiji Terasaki and environmentalist fashion designer Runa Ray.
The event is organized by TBA21 in collaboration with Sonar, Schmidt Ocean Institute, and the Institute of Marine Sciences and hosted at Disseny Hub Barcelona, with the participation of the Barcelona Supercomputer Center and the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation. Please register for the event HERE. Guests are invited to arrive at 6.30 pm for registration and accreditation.
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Communications Symposium
09:00 – 17:00 | A1, World Trade Center | Dr. Carlie Wiener
The symposium will support the development of ocean-climate communication best practice guidelines and associated resources as part of the Project ‘Advancing Strategic Ocean Communication‘. It will be a place to meet fellow communications professionals from across the world, and to exchange experience and expertise.
While the event is by invitation only, the organizers have planned two webinars in May to share findings and insights with those who were not present. Further information on the webinars will be made available soon. Learn more about the Advancing Strategic Ocean Communications Project.
Implementing a federated global ocean data and information system – What’s in it for you?
11:30 – 13:00 | S5+S6, World Trade Center
This workshop will present the Ocean Decade Data and Information Strategy and the priority actions required for its implementation. The session will provide guidance on what ocean data producers, custodians, and users can do to align and implement the strategy at their own level, demonstrating benefits through use cases and examples of successful implementation. The workshop will also highlight information and resources available to Decade actors to address their data management and sharing challenges. The goal of the session is to gain commitment for the strategy implementation and to collect feedback from the audience on potential obstacles and challenges to address. This event is for conference-registered participants only.
Widening opportunities for ocean exploration in the Decade
17:00 – 18:30 | Auditorium, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona | Eric King and Dr. Jyotika Virmani
The 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona provides an opportunity to raise awareness on opportunities and challenges for ocean exploration in the Decade, and the role the philanthropic fleet can play in supporting research led by scientists from different geographies globally, as well as contributions from early career researchers (ECRs) and other related professionals such as artists and educators. We will highlight the need for partnerships and identify key objectives that need be addressed as enablers of the success of the Ocean Decade in achieving its goals.
Wednesday, 10 April 2024
Plenary: Conditions of Success for the Ocean Decade
11:10 – 13:00 | One Ocean Room | Dr. Jyotika Virmani
- Ronnie Noonan-Birch, Marine Socioecologist, Ocean Frontier Institute | Moderator
- Jack Thatcher, coastal navigator | Panelist
- Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand and 37th America’s Cup | Panelist
- Katy Soapi, Coordinator of Partnerships and Engagement at the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science, The Pacific Community (SPC) | Panelist
- Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director, Schmidt Ocean Institute | Panelist
An Evening of Ocean Art, Science, and Music
18:45 | One Ocean Room
Celebrate this unique confluence of art, science, and music, dedicated to amplifying the
message of ocean conservation and exploring the deep connections between humanity and
the marine world. The evening will include a special concert for the Ocean performed by Oud Maestro and UNESCO Artist for Peace Nasseer Shamma with the Barcelona Guitar Trio. Attendees will also enjoy experiencing the Schmidt Ocean Institute Artist-at-Sea collection featuring Taiji Terasaki, Rebecca Rutstein, Runa Ray, and Gayil Nalls.
Thursday, 11 April 2024
The seabed data we need for the ocean we want
08:30 – 09:45 | One Ocean Room | Dr. Jyotika Virmani
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.
Friday, 12 April 2024
Technology and innovation showcase
08:30 – 09:45 | Caribbean Sea Room (124+125) | Dr. Jyotika Virmani
A diverse cohort of ten presenters will provide 3-minute presentations as “pitches” and “reverse pitches” aligned against the ten Ocean Decade Challenges. Pitches will be from technology providers encompassing startups, corporations, and research labs. Reverse Pitches will be from end users who need new solutions. This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring funders, workforce development, and policy experts to give practical advice and discuss the barriers to implementing new solutions. Attendees will rapidly learn about new ocean technologies, while also broadening their network in the technology community.
Ocean Census: Discovering marine life
08:30 – 09:45 | Plenary Room, One Ocean Room | Corinne Bassin
In partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute, UNEP-WCMC, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), and Challenger 150, join Ocean Census for this on-site satellite event. This session will provide an introduction to the program and an important discussion on ocean life data, exploring how best to advance the accessibility and use of data by scientists and decision-makers. We invite you to take this opportunity to share your views and ask our expert panelists.
Ocean Census is a pioneering new program to accelerate the discovery of ocean life. Established as an open network of partners uniting efforts to address this global challenge, Ocean Census builds on the legacies of programs including The Census of Marine Life. We are continuing to invite partners to join our Alliance and be part of our journey to support ocean species discovery.
The BBNJ Agreement and its linkages with the Ocean Decade
8:30 – 09:45 | Atlantic Ocean Room (Area 06) | Eric King
This event will raise awareness of the synergies between the Ocean Decade and the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). A moderated panel discussion will bring together speakers from governments and other stakeholders to identify priority actions needed to support their harmonious implementation and inspire new partnerships and initiatives amongst diverse stakeholders.
Empowering Women for the Ocean Decade: Achieving Gender Equality in Ocean Sciences and Policy Making
13:15 – 14:45 | Arctic Ocean Room (120+121) | Dr. Carlie Wiener
The Satellite Event will deliver research results and generate knowledge to achieve gender equality in ocean sciences and policy-making for the Ocean Decade. It will present compelling research results on the participation and equality status of women scientists in selected intergovernmental organizations, including concrete examples from three projects. The Event aims to provide the baseline for actors engaged in the Ocean Decade to establish an enabling environment that allows for the equal and fair participation of women from different backgrounds and on all levels of ocean sciences, including decision-making roles as a critical condition to deliver the science we need.
Technology & Innovation Networking Event
18:30-21:30 | The Glasshouse, Puro Beach, Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona
Join us for the opportunity to mingle and connect with peers at this networking event Please RSVP here for this event, and feel free to share with others who would be interested in attending — UNOD conference registration is not required.
