Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts, and marine resources. The IOC enables its 152 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science, tsunami warning, and ocean literacy. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress and the basis of peace and sustainable development. The UNESCO-IOC is the entity in charge of coordinating the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (The Ocean Decade).
The 33rd session of the UNESCO-IOC Assembly will take place from 25 June-03 July 2025 at UNESCO HQ in Paris. The Assembly meets once per biennium with the purpose to review the work of the Commission, including the work of the Member States and the Secretariat, and formulate a common work plan for the coming two years.

Join us at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 26 June 2025 at 18.30 for a special screening of Ocean with David Attenborough. As part of the 33rd Session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Assembly, and in partnership with the Permanent Delegation of the Principality of Monaco to UNESCO, the screening will be followed by a roundtable discussion featuring leading voices in ocean science. Registration open until 24 June 2025.

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica, will take place from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Nice, France. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) will be present and will play a key role in the conference by supporting the development of panel background papers, hosting events and providing opportunities to put ocean science and knowledge at the heart of global ocean action.

Our Expertise
Our Action in Numbers
compared to 26% currently, through the General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (GEBCO)