New webinar series shares latest research on ocean deoxygenation

Featuring some of the world’s top experts in ocean deoxygenation, a new webinar series shares the latest scientific knowledge and explores the impacts of extremely reduced levels of oxygen in increasingly larger parts of the ocean, from the coast to the high seas.

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Ocean Observing System Report Card 2020

GOOS Observations Coordination Group launches a new Ocean Observing System Report Card and introduces the rebranding of OceanOPS (previously JCOMMOPS) along with its first-ever 5-year Strategic Plan (2021-2025), phased with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (“Ocean Decade”).

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Virtual Regional Workshop on regional implementation plan for UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

This virtual session “Co-designing the science we need for Africa” was convened by IOC-UNESCO Sub Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA), with the support of the Swedish Ministry of the Environment, as part of the Ocean Decade Virtual Series.

It explored opportunities and challenges and discuss best practices to deliver co-designed, solution-oriented research that will lead to transformative Decade Actions with long-lasting benefits to the ocean and society.

The report of the session will be shared soon.

UNESCO-IOC supports a workshop on Marine Spatial Planning and Sustainable Blue Economy Development in Ghana, 22 October

As part of the MSP global initiative, UNESCO-IOC collaborated with the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute, to organize the “Marine Spatial Planning and Sustainable Blue Economy Development” national workshop in Accra. The workshop was organized to disseminate information and knowledge on Marine Spatial Planning and Blue Economy concepts among relevant stakeholders.

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Enhancing the Ocean Best Practices System to support the global ocean observing community

Around 500 ocean observations and data management experts gathered virtually on 18-30 September 2020 to review the Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS) and formulate recommendations for its enhancement.

Overall, the experts identified some needs to be addressed by the OBPS in order to enhance its support to the global ocean observing community. These range from improved interoperability among different ocean observations and data management systems to the development of new training activities – in particular remote and virtual learning; from effectively engaging multiple cultures – including indigenuous languages – to increasing collaboration among existing initiatives and define the role of ocean best practices in support of the upcoming UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030, the “Ocean Decade” for short).

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Indian Ocean Kicks Off Biennial Tsunami Simulation Amid COVID-19 disruptions

Through the IOWave20 simulation exercise, Indian Ocean countries get to test their tsunami warning systems and response protocols even while they contend with the impacts of the global COVID-19 crisis.

Read more about IOWave20 including important documentation and details of National Exercise Contacts here.