India, led by Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran, advocated for the establishment of a region-specific ocean observation center during the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference held in Barcelona, Spain. The conference, organized by the Spanish government and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, aimed to assess progress toward the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
Ocean Decade Conference Overview
- Date and Location: The conference took place in Barcelona, Spain, from April 10 to 12, 2024.
- Theme: “Delivering the science we need for the ocean we want.”
- Objective: Review progress made in achieving the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and enhance cooperation among stakeholders.
United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
- Initiative Launch: Launched by the United Nations in January 2021.
- Aim: Provide a framework for global stakeholders to engage and collaborate in building science-informed policies.
- Challenges: Ten challenges outlined, including understanding marine pollution, protecting biodiversity, and developing a sustainable ocean economy.
India’s Position at the Ocean Decade
- Call for Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems: India advocated for people-centered early warning systems for multiple hazards.
- Utilization of Traditional Knowledge: Emphasized involving local communities, NGOs, and industries to enhance ocean literacy and related programs.
- Regional Projects Design: Stressed the need for designing regional projects, such as ocean forecasting, tailored to user communities’ needs.
Indian Ocean Regional Decade Conference
- Conference Overview: Held in Hyderabad in February, convened to address ocean decade challenges and steps to address them.
- Decade Collaborative Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (DCC-IOR): Organized the conference as an official prelude to the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona.
- Objectives: Involve stakeholders, discuss future priorities, and provide a platform for networking and voicing concerns of the Indian Ocean region.