Photo credit: Tom Byrom / Unsplash
The Ocean Conference, was co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal, at a critical time, when the world is seeking to address many of the deep-rooted problems of our societies laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic and which will require major structural transformations and common shared solutions that are anchored in the SDGs.
The 2022 UN Ocean Conference brought together all Ocean stakeholders to discuss knowledge-based solutions to protect and revitalize this giant blue ecosystem. The overarching theme of the Conference was “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions” and the message was clear: “We must conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.”
To mobilize action, the Conference sought to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action. The ECOP Programme was involved at many level, visit the event page to revisit the official side events and ECOP mixers that took place in Lisbon, 27 June – 1 July, 2022
The ECOP Programme's digital UNOC campaign:
Visit our social media channels to view more of our ECOPs campaign:
View our digital flyer here.
Joint statement from the ECOP Programme and International Ocean Institute
During the UN OCean Conference ECOP Asia coordinator Raphaël Roman met with Antonella Vassallo and Cosmin Chivu from the International Ocean Institute. Together, they crafted a joint statement that reflects the critical involvement of Early Career Ocean Professionals at all levels of conservation, governance and sustainable use of the Ocean.
To read the full statement on the IOI website:
To read the statement on the UNOC website:
Stakeholder stats from the UN Ocean Conference 2022
The ECOP Programme's UNOC Communications Impact Report:
We are delighted to share the ECOP Programme communications report from the UN Ocean Conference 2022.
The ECOP Programme has compiled this UNOC impact report to chart the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities that we encountered in relation to the UNOC. The conference was considered a key event for the communications team and publicity of the ECOP Programme, and a timely opportunity to connect with peers, mentors and potential funders and partners, after an extended hiatus. Communications covers a broad area – from consistently producing cohesive and compelling key messages and content, internally and externally, to establishing and maintaining pertinent working relationships.
The report is split into three parts to investigate how and why members of the ECOP community were able to participate in the UN Ocean Conference, and document what their thoughts were regarding the event. From all the information in the report, we have reached four key outcomes, that if addressed would significantly increase the inclusion and participation of ECOPs at the next UNOC.
The global community of ECOPs represent those who will inherit the decision making today regarding the Ocean, across policy, industry and conservation. It is imperative that they are part of that decision making process, and that there are adequate pathways to include the diverse voice of ECOPs, and the insights and new ways of thinking they bring to Ocean Sustainability. They are an integral part of the roadmap to address the challenges, outcomes and overall mission of the UN Ocean Decade. It is only possible by working together with ECOPs that we can achieve “the Science We Need for the Ocean We Want” by 2030.
We hope, if reading this report, you can see the tremendous work that ECOPs and the ECOP Programme do to be part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science. We believe it only fair that we have the right support and recognition to attend events such as the UNOC. Whether you are an ECOP or a partner with the ECOP Programme, we hope that you can share our vision in that the next UNOC features the ECOP community from all continents, Ocean basins and across all sectors in a mindful, authentic and integrated manner.
You can read or download the full report here: ECOP UNOC Impact Report