UN Ocean Decade ECOP Japan Symposium

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UN Ocean Decade) is an international framework for the sustainable use and management of the oceans using ocean science to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network Programme is established to empower ECOPs, who self-identify as being early in their career in any field related to the ocean. The Programme is endorsed by UN Ocean Decade as a network program.

At Japan’s first online ECOP symposium held in January 2022, ECOPs in various fields such as universities, research institutes, and NPOs were invited to discuss their current activities, challenges, and expectations for the UN Ocean Decade, with the aim of igniting to build a network of ECOPs in Japan.

In response to the issues identified by the previous symposium and subsequent online survey (e.g. funding, employment, lack of mentors, etc.), this hybrid symposium invites ECOPs who are engaged to the seven outcomes of the UN Ocean Decade to discuss how they are resolving issues and carrying out their activities, and to introduce such examples in Japan. In addition, through the creation of posters related to the seven ocean outcomes, ECOPs in Japan will recognize issues and solutions across the different sectors, and will deepen common understanding among ECOPs toward the achievement of the UN Ocean Decade.