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).
The virtual session on “Co-designing the science we need for the Ocean Decade” was convened by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in partnership with the International Science Council, as part of the Ocean Decade Virtual Series.