PURPOSE: 8 June is World Oceans Day, the United Nations day for celebrating the role of the oceans in our everyday life and inspiring action to protect the ocean and sustainably use marine resources. On this occasion, we shed light on the wonder of the ocean and how it is our lifesource, supporting humanity and every other organism on Earth. Since its inception in 2008, the United Nations has celebrated World Oceans Day in recognition of the ocean’s importance as the sustainer of all life on earth. Topics we explore during the day include: ocean governance, the science-policy interface, oceans and climate change, sustainable ocean-based economies (blue economy), and marine protected areas, and etc. As the challenges to the ocean continue to grow, so does the need to understand them and to mobilize globally. Drawing in a global community through a series of in-person and virtual events and campaigns, the annual United Nations celebration has created an inclusive and dynamic platform, ignited a groundswell of awareness, and through multi stakeholder engagement, has yielded impactful action for the ocean and our blue planet.
FORUM: "Awaken new depths." World Oceans Day 2024. This year theme acknowledges that while we know little of the ocean compared to its immense vastness, what we do know is that the consequences of our actions are evident throughout its waters – and that human activity is increasingly devastating the ocean as well as placing the survival of our entire blue planet at risk. Join the conversation with the hashtags: #WorldOceansDay, #8june, #OceanFirst.
EVENTS: At UNHQ, an hybrid -event hosted both virtually and in-person will be held on June 8th from 10:00 AM to 13:30 PM EDT to celebrate the United Nations World Oceans Day 2024. The event will take us on a journey of discovery through the ocean's vastness, tapping into the wisdom and expertise of global policy-makers, scientists, managers, thought leaders, and artists to awaken new depths of understanding, compassion, collaboration and commitment for the ocean and all it sustains. The celebration is hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with Oceanic Global. Schedule: Depths of Commitment. 10:00 AM - Opening Remarks & Performance. 10:25 AM - Planetary Boundary Keynotes. 10:50 AM - Depths of Understanding: Science & Wisdom Fireside Chat. 11:15 AM - Depths of Compassion: New Depths Spotlights 11:50 AM - Winners Announced: Photo Competition. 12:05 PM - Musical Performanc. 12:10 PM - Depths of Collaboration: Blue Economy Panel. 13:00 PM - Closing Remarks & Performance. Register to participate and Watch the event!
EXHIBITS AND FESTIVALS: Explore the list of the WOD 2024 worldwide events.
PUBLICATION: Issued three times a year, the Bulletin provides cogent and timely information on issues related to the Convention on the Law of the Sea - ‘the constitution for the ocean’ - and contains the most recent legal materials relevant to the law of the sea. It includes national legislation, bilateral agreements and multilateral treaties as well as information on decisions of the International Court of Justice, arbitral tribunals and other dispute settlement procedures. Law of the Sea Bulletin - Current Issue.
PODCASTS: The advent of ocean-observing satellites has launched a new era of marine discovery. Remotely sensed satellite data and modeling techniques enable the global mapping of seasonal changes in ocean surface topography, currents, waves, winds, phytoplankton content, sea-ice extent, rainfall, sunlight reaching the sea, and sea surface temperature. Explore latest ocean-related stories and Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: We don't have time for "out of sight out of mind." If the world is numb to numbers, motivating momentum will require opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities to protect our planet’s beating heart. We need to "Awaken new depths."within our own. Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
The Date of June 8th is a day for humanity to celebrate the ocean. In the interim, observation of Oceans Day had broadened and deepened. The need and scope for this was reflected in the broad range of concerns expressed in 2008 by the United Nations Secretary-General, including implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, maritime space, international shipping, maritime security, marine science and technology, marine biological diversity, the marine environment and sustainable development, climate change and regional and international cooperation. The awareness and action spurred by observation of World Oceans Day would be crucial in all these areas. Looking at our Earth from space, it is obvious that we live on a water planet. Ocean covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and contains about 97% of the Earth's surface water. Life in the oceans can be found from the surface to the extreme environments at the bottom of the deepest submarine trench. It is not surprising that the oceans represent over 99% of the living space on Earth...we are indeed living on what is truly an ocean planet. Let’s celebrate the Oceans!
ACTIONS
World Oceans Day reminds us all of their important role in our daily lives.
Explore the Journal of Oceanological Research.
Understand and explore solutions to the growing problem of ocean noise pollution and its impact on
.Learn more on Climate and ecological emergencies: the solutions of the Ocean.
Join the photo contest’ ’Revitalization through Art.’’
Improve the sustainable use and management of coastal and marine resources.
Act for Gender Mainstreaming in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management.
Join the Fish sticks activities
PARTNERSHIPS
The World Oceans Day is organized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, the UN-Oceans, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the GRID-Arendal and the UN-SPIDER.
With the collaboration of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, the Australian Antarctic Division, the NASA OCEANS - Science Mission Directorate, the Office of Ocean Exploration Research of the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research, the International Science Council, the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the Ocean Conservation Research (OCR), the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, (JAMSTEC) and several other National Governmental Agencies.