The UN Ocean Decade: The science we need for the ocean we want
The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting biodiversity and sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people. Yet marine and coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, overexploitation and habitat degradation.
To address these challenges, the United Nations proclaimed 2021–2030 the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, commonly known as the UN Ocean Decade. Coordinated by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the initiative brings together scientists, governments, civil society, businesses and local communities worldwide.
Under the vision “The science we need for the ocean we want”, the Ocean Decade aims to strengthen international cooperation, advance ocean knowledge and translate scientific research into practical solutions. Its activities contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14, Life Below Water.
The initiative addresses ten Ocean Decade Challenges, including marine pollution, ecosystem protection and restoration, sustainable ocean economies, climate change, coastal resilience and equitable access to ocean knowledge.
ZMT's contribution to the Ocean Decade
The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) contributes to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) through international research projects, scientific partnerships and capacity development. Working closely with partners in tropical regions, ZMT helps advance marine conservation, sustainable coastal management and the development of scientific solutions to pressing ocean challenges.
Working together for the ocean we want
The challenges facing tropical oceans and coastal communities cannot be addressed by individual disciplines or institutions alone. They require international cooperation, scientific exchange and the active involvement of those who depend on marine ecosystems. ZMT contributes to the Ocean Decade through officially endorsed research projects, participation in international research programmes and initiatives that strengthen scientific cooperation and research capacity. A particular focus is on co-design: bringing together scientists and societal stakeholders to jointly develop research questions and solutions that respond to local needs.
So far, ZMT has actively contributed to the UN Ocean Decade (2021–2030) through its involvement in endorsed Decade Actions, strategic planning and programme development, international conferences, and contributions to reports, publications and guidance documents. ZMT has contributed to the German Committee of the UN Ocean Decade (ODK) and the development of the Blue Prints guiding the final years of the Decade. In 2024, ZMT has participated in the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, including a dedicated side event. Plans forZMT's involvment in the upcoming Ocean Decade Conference in Rio de Janeiro are currentyl under way.
ZMT has also contributed to the IOC-UNESCO Group of Experts on Capacity Development and the development of the IOC Capacity Development Strategy 2023–2030. A particularly visible contribution has been the development of co-design training and mentoring programmes with IOC-UNESCO, reaching more than 1000 participants through the online course alone and supporting the development of new Decade Actions and international collaborations, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean.
Below is a summary of such activities.
I. Ocean Decade-endorsed projects led by ZMT
=> A Sea of Connections: Valuing Reef Passages (SOCPacific2R)
South Pacific | 2024 – 2027
Reef passages connect coastal lagoons with the open ocean and are important for marine biodiversity, fisheries and Pacific Island communities. SOCPacific2R investigates their ecological, social and cultural significance, combining scientific research with Indigenous and local knowledge.
The project examines existing conservation and management practices and promotes dialogue between researchers and Pacific Island stakeholders. Its findings aim to support the recognition and protection of reef passages in marine conservation policies.
ZMT contact: Dr Annette Breckwoldt
Ocean Decade website : https://oceandecade.org/actions/a-sea-of-connections-valuing-reef-passages/
ZMT-LINK: https://www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/research/research-projects/socpacific2r.html
=> Shipwrecks as Artificial Reef Structures
Sri Lanka | 2024 – 2027
Shipwrecks can provide habitats for marine organisms while also representing valuable underwater cultural heritage. This project investigates the ecological, historical and socioeconomic importance of shipwrecks in Sri Lankan waters.
Researchers examine their contribution to marine biodiversity, fisheries and tourism, as well as their potential role in sustainable marine resource management. The project also strengthens scientific cooperation between Germany and Sri Lanka.
ZMT contact: Dr Oscar Puebla, Anjleen Hannak
Ocean Decade website: https://oceandecade.org/actions/shipwrecks-as-artificial-reef-structures/
=> Participatory Modeling for Nature-based Solutions in the Western Indian Ocean Region (PaMoNBS)
Western Indian Ocean | 2023 – 2025
Nature-based solutions can help coastal communities address environmental challenges while protecting the benefits provided by healthy ecosystems.
Jointly led by ZMT and the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of Dar es Salaam, PaMoNBS developed participatory modelling approaches and decision-support tools for planning nature-based solutions.
The project sought to help policymakers and coastal communities explore management options and develop a shared understanding of interconnected ecological and social systems.
ZMT contact: Dr Hauke Reuter, Dr Hauke Kegler
Ocean Decade website: https://oceandecade.org/actions/participatory-modeling-for-nature-based-solutions-in-the-wio-region-pamonbs/
ZMT-LINK: https://www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/research/research-projects/pamo-nbs.html
II. Building capacity for the Ocean Decade
Scientific knowledge alone is not enough to address complex ocean challenges. Research also needs to respond to societal priorities and involve the people who depend on marine ecosystems.
ZMT therefore places particular emphasis on co-design, an approach that brings together researchers, policymakers, local communities and other stakeholders to jointly identify research questions, develop projects and create solutions.
=> Co-design training with UNESCO-IOC
In 2022, ZMT and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission launched the first Ocean Decade co-design training course for participants from Africa and adjacent island states.
The programme introduced participants to transdisciplinary research, stakeholder engagement, impact planning and project development, helping them turn ideas into proposals for Ocean Decade Actions.
Building on the pilot course, ZMT and its partners developed an international online training course, made available through the OceanTeacher Global Academy in 2024. The course provides ocean professionals worldwide with practical knowledge and tools for collaborative research.
ZMT-LINKS: https://www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/news-at-zmt/news/news-archive/unesco-co-design-training-course.html
https://www.leibniz-zmt.de/en/research/research-projects/co-design-and-impact-training.html
OCEAN DECADE website: https://oceandecade.org/news/ireland-ocean-decade-support-co-design-of-transformative-ocean-science-for-caribbean-sids/
=> Mentoring ocean professionals in the Caribbean and Africa
ZMT also played a leading role in advanced mentoring programmes supporting the development of Ocean Decade Actions.
In 2024, a programme for Caribbean Small Island Developing States helped participants develop collaborative research proposals addressing regional ocean challenges.
A subsequent African mentoring programme, completed in 2025, brought together ocean professionals from seven African countries. Through training, peer exchange and expert guidance, participants developed proposals addressing issues such as marine pollution, ocean literacy, sustainable livelihoods and coastal resilience.
The programmes were implemented with UNESCO-IOC and international partners, strengthening regional research networks and supporting more equitable participation in the Ocean Decade.
ZMT has also contributed to training and exchange activities in the Western Indian Ocean region.
In August 2025, ZMT and regional and international partners co-hosted the five-day workshop Building Bridges between Science, Policy and Society: Co-designing Solutions for Ocean Sustainability in Cape Town, South Africa.
The workshop brought together ocean professionals to strengthen collaboration across disciplines and sectors and develop practical approaches for translating scientific knowledge into action.
Through these activities, ZMT contributes to the Ocean Decade's ambition to strengthen research capacity, foster equitable partnerships and make ocean science more accessible and relevant to society.
OCEAN DECADE website: https://oceandecade.org/publications/workshop-highlights-building-bridges-between-science-policy-and-society-co-designing-solutions-for-ocean-sustainability/
III International research cooperation
=> UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona
April 2024
More than 1,500 scientists, politicians and decision-makers, representatives of the private sector and civil society went to the UN Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona from April 10-12. Scientists, politicians and policy-makers, representatives of the private sector and the civil society -particularly youth– from all over the world came together to discuss the state of the world's oceans. Despite the worrisome state of our oceans and coasts, the UNOD Week & Conference aspired a strong, positive spirit of optimism. From ZMT, Prof. Dr. Martin Zimmer, Dr. Véronique Helfer, Dr. Caroline Müller and Dr. Hauke Reuter attended the conference.
FUTURO – Researching the future of West African marine ecosystems
FUTURO brings together West African and European research institutions to strengthen long-term marine research cooperation in the tropical Atlantic.
The programme investigates environmental changes and their consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal societies. Its research addresses issues such as ocean warming, oxygen loss and pressures on marine resources.
ZMT participates in this international collaboration, which aims to strengthen scientific observation, research capacity and the exchange of knowledge between African and European partners.
Ocean Decade website: https://oceandecade.org/news/launch-of-the-futuro-research-programme/
=> Ocean Decade Laboratory – “A Healthy and Resilient Ocean”
Over 600 people from 78 countries came together for the fourth Ocean Decade Laboratory – “A Healthy and Resilient Ocean” from 9 to 11 March 2022.
The Chairs of the Laboratory, Karen Wiltshire from the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), and Tim Jennerjahn from the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) expressly welcomed the variety and global scale of participants. Not only scientists but people from all walks of life shared their interest in a healthy and resilient ocean.
The Core Event showed best practices in the most relevant disciplines of ocean science for a healthy and resilient ocean, such as observation and monitoring, including traditional knowledge as well as citizen science and society.
Ocean Decade website: https://oceandecade.org/news/a-healthy-and-resilient-ocean-for-all/
Contacts