Want to Propose an Individual Session or a Side Event? Explore Our Proposal Submission Guide

Learn the best way to submit your initiative to the open calls, and the requirements for joining the official programme of Ocean Decade Week in Rio de Janeiro.

Institutions, organizations and partners from around the world can now submit proposals for Ocean Decade Week 2027, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from 5 to 9 April 2027. With calls open until 22 November 2026 (23:59 UTC), the international event seeks to build a collaborative agenda focused on practical solutions, international cooperation and mobilization for ocean sustainability towards 2030 and beyond.

The opportunities are divided into two main categories:

Individual Sessions at Pre-Conference Special Events (5–6 April): activities integrated into the thematic and regional programmes led by Lead Partners at various venues across Rio de Janeiro.
Side Events during the Main Conference (7–9 April): strategic gatherings of 60 to 90 minutes, held at Pier Mauá, aimed at launching initiatives, announcing commitments and holding high-level discussions.

How to Prepare Your Proposal Submission

To help organizations plan and submit their proposals, we have prepared the Proposal Submission Guide.

In this guide, you will find step-by-step guidance on how to:

Understand the eligibility criteria: find out which types of institutions and partnerships can submit proposals for each call.
Choose the right category and format: understand the difference between Individual Sessions and Side Events, as well as the accepted formats (workshops, panels, symposia, innovation showcases, among others).
Align your proposal with thematic priorities: see how to link your initiative to the eight Ocean Decade Solutions and to the regional and cross-cutting priorities.
Learn the evaluation and selection criteria: understand how proposals will be assessed for strategic value, impact, diversity and inclusion.
Complete and submit the online form: review the practical requirements, deadlines and information needed before submitting your final application in English.

Explore the full guide below before submitting your application:

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.