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To implement the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in an Arctic Ocean context, a Task Force is presently preparing the development of an Arctic Ocean Action Plan.

This process is a part of a global preparation process for the Ocean Decade, and will offer an opportunity for stakeholders to formulate, discuss and prioritize concrete proposals for actions in support of the Ocean Decade.

The development of an Arctic Ocean Action Plan will include workshops centered around the societal goals of the Ocean Decade and provide stakeholders with the opportunity to: 

1. Network with other Arctic actors from science, governance, industry and NGOs to identify key shared Ocean Decade priorities for the Arctic Ocean.
2. Participate directly in dedicated working groups to draft the key inputs to the Arctic Ocean Action Plan, including potential partnerships for Arctic activities that support the goals of the Ocean Decade. Participation in working groups include participation in at least two online meetings. Learn more about the process 
3. Support the final drafting and presentation of the action plan. 

The workshops will be hosted by the Danish Center for Marine Research in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). The process has been slightly delayed due to COVID-19, but are now progressing again, after the adoption of a fully digital format.

Unlike the former Ocean Decade regional workshops, the Arctic process will take place after the adoption of the implementation plan by the UN General Assembly, and will thus have stronger focus on identifying and drafting actual realistic actions.

Key dates

• 10 July 2020: Online registration for working groups opens. 
• 20 August 2020: Online announcement of working group chairs.
• 25 September 2020: Online registration for working groups closes. 
• 22 October 2020: Working group kick off meeting with additional meetings scheduled for 23. October, 5. November, and 18. November (if necessary).
• 16-17 March 2021: Online consultation on draft action plan.
• 22 March 2021: Presentation of action plan.

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver scientific knowledge and ensure that ocean science can fully support countries’ actions to sustainably manage the ocean and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Read more about the Ocean Decade

Key messages from the Ocean Decade Implementation Plan:

• "In its present state of development, ocean science is largely competent for diagnosing problems"
• "The capacity of science to offer systematic solutions to issues of sustainability needs a massive upgrade"
• The "Implementation Plan for the Decade presents a number of directions for research and development"
• "The focus of the Decade is on science because it can inform us what needs to be done and how"
• "We also need to find out who has to do what"

The first call for project endorsement has been announced: https://www.oceandecade.org/news/75/Call-for-Decade-Actions-No-012020-

Endorsed Decade Actions will gain from high visibility and the opportunity to create new collaborations and access new sources of support.

This Call for Decade Actions is only the first of series that will launched as part of the Ocean Decade. 

The focus is specifically on:

• large-scale, multi-country, transformative Ocean Decade programmes.
• large-scale contributions of in-kind or financial resources for Ocean Decade Actions or coordination costs.

Actions in any part of the world are welcome, and there is no limitation on who can submit a request for endorsement. Interested parties should complete and submit the relevant online “Request for Endorsement” before 15 January 2021. Decisions on endorsement under this Call will be made in the first quarter of 2021.

Note: Two virtual sessions are planned to provide additional information: the 20 October 2020 and the 6 November 2020.