Climate change and AI to top Brazil's agenda as host of the 2027 ODC

The country takes a central role in the global ocean agenda on the road to the 2027 Conference.

Traditional dance at an Ocean Decade event

As host of the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference, Brazil intends to place climate change and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in ocean science at the heart of the global ocean agenda. Both themes are expected to run through the plenary sessions, the side events and the commitments announced in Rio de Janeiro.

The approach reflects the priorities of the Ocean Decade's new phase, focused on solution delivery: turning the knowledge built up since 2021 into practical tools for public policy, climate adaptation and sustainable ocean management.

The ocean is the planet's great climate regulator. There is no response to the climate crisis without ocean science — and no ocean science at scale without new technologies.

Topics under discussion include the role of data and ocean observation in forecasting extreme events, financing for coastal adaptation, and the opportunities — and risks — of using artificial intelligence in ocean research, monitoring and governance.

The Ocean Decade is about translating ocean knowledge into collective action.
Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the IOC

Conclusion

The 2027 Conference is expected to consolidate Brazil's role as a convener of the global ocean agenda, connecting science, policy and society around concrete solutions for the ocean we want.

Further details of the programme and priority themes will be announced in the coming months, along with the opening of registration.

For more information, please contact:

Ocean Decade Communications Team

oceandecade.comms@unesco.org

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.