Ocean Decade U.S.

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The ocean is central to the functioning of the planet and human well-being, but ongoing depletion, disruption, and pollution threaten its future. From 2021-2030, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development will focus scientific initiatives across the globe on the science needed to ensure sustainable use of ocean resources and long-term ocean health. The U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade will encourage participation and serve as a communication channel for the U.S. ocean science community throughout this international effort.

News and updates

Early Career Liaison Kailani Acosta Advances Ocean Science at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

Program News

We spoke with U.S. Ocean Decade Early Career Liaison Kailani Acosta about her work as part of the Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network Programme under the UN Ocean Decade.

Sep 16, 2025

International Ocean Conference: Ocean and Human Health

Update

On December 11–12, the National Decade Committee of Portugal will host an international conference in Lisbon exploring how ocean systems impact human health. The event will bring together global experts to address issues from marine natural products to plastic pollution and climate change. U.S. speakers include Valerie Paul (Smithsonian Institution), Margaret Spring (Monterey Bay Aquarium), and Susan Roberts (National Academies)

Nov 12, 2025

Call for Decade Actions No. 10/2025

Update

The UN Ocean Decade has opened their call for Decade Actions No. 10/2025 which will run through January 31, 2026.

Oct 28, 2025

About Publications/Resources Past Events News and Updates

Events

Ocean Decade U.S.: March 2024 Meeting

March 5, 2024
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)

Past

This is an open session to discuss the upcoming activities/plans for the 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference.

Ocean Decade U.S.: Urban Sea

November 8, 2023
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)

Past

This is a virtual open session on urban seas. If you would like to attend, please email Safah Wyne at Swyne@nas.edu.

Ocean Decade U.S.: Rationale & Strategies for Moving Urban Sea System Stewardship Forward Nationally & Internationally

June 13, 2023
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EDT)

Past

This is a virtual session on rationale & strategies for moving urban sea system stewardship forward nationally & internationally. If you would like to attend, please email Safah Wyne at Swyne@nas.edu...

Ocean Decade U.S. - Early Career Liaison 2nd Cohort Information Session

November 29, 2022
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)

Past

The Ocean Decade committee will host an information session with the current cohort of Early Career Liaisons, where potential applicants are welcome to listen in and ask questions about the experience...

Ocean Decade U.S. November 2022 Meeting

November 4, 2022
11:00 AM - 5:15 PM (EDT)

Past

The U.S. National Committe for the Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development will convene for their annual open meeting. One highlight of the meeting will be presentations from the Early Career Liaison...

Meetings

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2025 Meeting

October 8, 2025
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

Meeting
Past

Join the Ocean Studies Board and the U.S. National Committee for the UN Ocean Decade for a meeting in Washington DC, on October 7-8, 2025. The meeting will feature: Insights into the future of ocean...

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2024 Meeting

October 24, 2024
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

Meeting
Past

On October 24, from 9:00am to 2:00pm ET, the U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development (USNC) will convene their annual meeting with a focus on gauging progress during t...

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2023 Meeting

October 3, 2023
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (EDT)

Meeting
Past

The U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development will convene for their annual open meeting.

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade March Meeting

March 2, 2022
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)

Closed
Past

The committee met to discuss final edits to the report.

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade February Meeting #2

February 18, 2022
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)

Closed
Past

The committee met to discuss response to review

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Ocean Decade U.S.

News and updates

Ocean Decade U.S.: March 2024 Meeting

Ocean Decade U.S.: Urban Sea

Ocean Decade U.S.: Rationale & Strategies for Moving Urban Sea System Stewardship Forward Nationally & Internationally

Ocean Decade U.S. - Early Career Liaison 2nd Cohort Information Session

Ocean Decade U.S. November 2022 Meeting

Achieving the Ocean We Want: Cross-Cutting Themes for the Ocean Decade

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Sponsor Briefing

Ocean Decade U.S. April Meeting 2022

Ocean Decade U.S. February Meeting 2022

Ocean Decade U.S. Fall Meeting 2021

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade November Meeting #1

Ocean Decade: U.S. Launch Meeting

Planning Meeting for the U.S. National Committee for the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2025 Meeting

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2024 Meeting

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2023 Meeting

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade March Meeting

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade February Meeting #2

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade February Meeting #1

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade January Meeting

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade November Meeting #2

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #4

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #3

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #2

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #1

Meet the U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade

My Academies

Ocean Decade U.S.

Dropdown items

News and updates

Ocean Decade U.S.: March 2024 Meeting

Ocean Decade U.S.: Urban Sea

Ocean Decade U.S.: Rationale & Strategies for Moving Urban Sea System Stewardship Forward Nationally & Internationally

Ocean Decade U.S. - Early Career Liaison 2nd Cohort Information Session

Ocean Decade U.S. November 2022 Meeting

Achieving the Ocean We Want: Cross-Cutting Themes for the Ocean Decade

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Sponsor Briefing

Ocean Decade U.S. April Meeting 2022

Ocean Decade U.S. February Meeting 2022

Ocean Decade U.S. Fall Meeting 2021

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade November Meeting #1

Ocean Decade: U.S. Launch Meeting

Planning Meeting for the U.S. National Committee for the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2025 Meeting

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2024 Meeting

Ocean Decade U.S.: October 2023 Meeting

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade March Meeting

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade February Meeting #2

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade February Meeting #1

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade January Meeting

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade November Meeting #2

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #4

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #3

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #2

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade Breakout Session #1

Meet the U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade