OCEAN DECADE PROGRESS REPORT

At the halfway mark of the Ocean Decade, this year's Progress Report provides an overview of key Decade initiatives, achievements, remaining gaps, and priority next steps, guided by the Barcelona Statement and the recommendations of an independent Mid-Term Evaluation.

As the Ocean Decade enters its second and arguably most important period, the latest Progress Report assesses the Decade’s achievements and accelerating momentum from July 2024 to June 2025 across the globe. Among key milestones, the Ocean Decade had endorsed 62 Programmes, 535 Projects, and 109 Contributions by June 2025. More than half of these Actions were led by women and a quarter by Early Career Ocean Professionals. Together, they generated more than 10,700 knowledge products, from peer-reviewed publications to white papers and policy briefs.

The Ocean Decade’s global network continued to grow, encompassing , including new additions in Kenya and Tanzania that reinforce efforts in Africa, a priority region. This reach further extended through 11 Decade Collaborative Centres and Coordination Offices and , all translating global ambitions into regional and thematic action. The IOC hosts six of these Decade Collaborative Offices, spanning from the Western Pacific to Africa.

Even within a demanding resource mobilization landscape, the Decade received significant new support from Member States, institutions, and organizations. The Ocean Decade Alliance expanded to 14 Patrons and 21 institutional members, and global philanthropy reaffirmed its commitment to investing in transformative ocean science.

Capacity development remains a cornerstone of the Ocean Decade. In 2024-2025, more than 3,700 activities, from formal education to peer-to-peer exchanges, were carried out in 16 countries, benefiting over one million individuals. To address persistent regional imbalances and ensure equitable opportunities, the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility provides a flexible mechanism to identify and respond to priority needs, with a particular emphasis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs).

The reporting period was also one of the Decade’s strongest moments of global visibility. The website reached more than 843,000 users, while social media interaction grew the community to nearly 124,000. Launched in February 2025, the GenOcean campaign has boosted ocean literacy and advocacy, connecting youth and civil society with on-the-ground ocean action. The Decade was also at major events, including the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France – a highlight of global ocean engagement in 2025.

Looking ahead, preparations are underway for the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, that will be held from 7-9 April 2027. This flagship event will showcase and track achievements towards the priorities of the Barcelona Statement; refine priorities for the remainder of the Decade through an inclusive preparatory process in 2026; facilitate partnerships and discussions to shape the Decade’s post-2030 legacy; and inform dialogue at the 2028 UN Ocean Conference and contribute to the post-2030 Agenda dialogue on ocean issues.

As the Ocean Decade advances, a strengthened framework – shaped by the Decade’s Mid-Term Evaluation, the Barcelona Statement, and Vision 2030 – now sets out priorities and implementation. This foundation will guide future Calls for Decade Actions and strategic delivery, ensuring the Decade remains impactful, inclusive, and aligned with global needs.

Click here to read the full report.