2027 Ocean Decade Conference opens calls for Individual Sessions and Side Events

Help shape Ocean Decade Week in Rio de Janeiro: submit proposals for Pre-Conference Individual Sessions or Conference Side Events by 8 November 2026!

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The 2027 Ocean Decade Conference has opened two calls for institutions and partners to contribute to its programme: Individual Sessions within Pre-Conference Special Events and Side Events during the main Conference.

Together, these opportunities will bring diverse communities, knowledge, and experience into Ocean Decade Week, taking place across Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 9 April 2027. Partners are invited to propose contributions that advance practical solutions, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate ocean action towards 2030 and beyond.

Individual Sessions: contribute to a Pre-Conference Special Event

Taking place on 5 and 6 April 2027, Pre-Conference Special Events are partner-led, full-day programmes held at designated venues across Rio de Janeiro, outside the main Conference venue. They will create collaborative spaces for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and action around Ocean Decade Solutions and regional priorities.

Each Special Event will comprise several Individual Sessions. Applicants can propose one session within a Special Event programme coordinated by the relevant Lead Partners.

Formats may include workshops, scientific symposia, policy dialogues, trainings, networking, exhibitions, demonstrations, innovation showcases, cultural activities, and dialogues with youth and Indigenous peoples. Session duration will be agreed with Lead Partners. Conference organizers will allocate venues; applicants do not need to book a space.

Strong proposals contribute to Conference objectives, fit the selected Special Event’s priorities, and move beyond identifying challenges to advancing practical solution

Find the Special Event that fits your proposal

Thematic programmes connect to the eight Ocean Decade Solutions:

Ocean Life - including specific streams on biodiversity intelligence, coral reefs, and the deep ocean.
Ocean Health.
Coastal Resilience.
Ocean Food Systems.
Ocean Economies.
Ocean Information and Services.
Ocean Investment: including specific streams on innovative tools and approaches, and an Investors Forum.
Ocean Skills and Inspiration.

Other Special Events address topics focusing on Africa, Tropical Americas and the Caribbean, Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs), traditional and Indigenous knowledge, island states and communities, and coastal cities.

Specific details on each Special Event’s objectives, priorities, and Lead Partners can be found in Annex 1 of the guidance note for Individual Sessions.

Side Events: bring a strategic contribution to the main Conference

Side Events will take place at lunchtime on 7, 8 and 9 April 2027, at Pier Mauá, the main Conference venue.

Lasting 60-90 minutes, these partner-led events will offer a dedicated space for focused, high-level dialogues, moderated panels, launches and interactive exchanges. A limited number of proposals will be selected for inclusion in the official programme.

Proposals should demonstrate clear strategic value by launching or advancing major initiatives and partnerships, announcing commitments, showcasing concrete solutions with global relevance and demonstrated impact, mobilizing international cooperation or investment, or connecting Conference outcomes with major international processes.

Strategic dialogues should complement and build on the Conference’s plenary and parallel discussions.

All Side Event organizers, speakers, and attendees must have confirmed registration for the main Conference. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to room capacity.

Applicants should consult the Side Events guidance note for details on objectives, selection criteria, and format requirements before preparing their proposal.

Who can submit a proposal?

Both calls welcome proposals from governments, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations, Ocean Decade Actions, research and academic institutions, non-governmental and civil society organizations, foundations and philanthropic organizations, regional organizations, businesses, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.Joint applications are strongly encouraged, particularly those bringing together institutions, disciplines, sectors, regions, and stakeholder groups.Particular consideration will be given to proposals demonstrating meaningful participation from Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, Indigenous peoples, Early Career Ocean Professionals, youth, under-represented regions, and Brazilian institutions and partners.

Prepare and submit your proposal

Applications for both calls must be submitted in English by 8 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Each call has a separate online application form; use the form corresponding to your proposal.Before applying, read the guidance note for your chosen call, including its selection criteria and practical requirements. For Individual Sessions, check the objectives and priorities of the Special Event you wish to contribute to in Annex 1 of the guidance note.Selected organizers are expected to be confirmed in December 2026.

Individual Sessions within Pre-Conference Special Events
Read the guidance note
Submit an Individual Session proposal
Conference Side Events
Read the guidance note
Submit a Side Event proposal

For further information, contact event@oceandecade-conference.com.

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About the Ocean Decade:

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 ("the Ocean Decade") seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this vast marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is "the science we need for the ocean we want". The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science in order to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.

About the IOC:

UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (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 and tsunami warning. 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, the basis of peace and sustainable development.

About MCTI:

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) is the Brazilian federal authority responsible for coordinating science, technology and innovation activities across the country. Its mission is to drive Brazil's economic and social development on sovereign and sustainable foundations, by fostering national scientific, technological and innovation capacity. As Brazil's scientific focal point to UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), MCTI leads the national implementation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and coordinates programmes that advance ocean research, observation and innovation, including activities in the Tropical and South Atlantic and in Antarctica. As host of the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference, MCTI works closely with the Ocean Decade Coordination Unit and with Brazilian partners to ensure that Ocean Decade Week and the Conference itself contribute to the global ocean agenda.