Introduction

Our oceans face unprecedented challenges, from overfishing and pollution to climate
change. These issues threaten not only the health of marine ecosystems, but also
the livelihoods of millions and the very future of our planet. To address these
pressing concerns, we require enhanced ocean governance and management, a
collaborative effort at local, regional, and international levels, to ensure the
sustainable use of our oceans for present and future generations. This session at
UNESCO aims to foster dialogue and critical thinking on how we can strengthen
existing frameworks, implement science-based policies, and promote responsible
practices across all sectors impacting the ocean. By fostering international
cooperation, innovation, and knowledge sharing, we can build a more resilient and
sustainable future for our oceans and ourselves.

Mandate of Council

The Constitution of UNESCO was signed in London on 16 November 1945 by 37

countries. The mission of UNESCO is defined as “to contribute to peace and security
by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science and culture in
order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human
rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world,
without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United
Nations.” 1

UNESCO focuses its work on five main areas: education, science (both natural and
social/human), culture, and communication. Here's how UNESCO is organized:
 General Conference (GC): This is the main decision-making body of UNESCO,
meeting every two years.
 Executive Board (EB): This smaller group, elected by the GC, meets twice a
year to review budgets and programs and oversee their implementation.
 Secretariat: Led by the Director-General, this group carries out UNESCO's
programs.

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https://unesdoc.unesco.org/archives/about-unesco-history-and-mission

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On Education, UNESCO works in ensuring quality education and lifelong learning
opportunities for all. This includes promoting early childhood education, inclusive and
equitable access to education, and fostering teacher training and development. On
the other hand, with regard to the natural sciences, UNESCO also mobilizes
scientific knowledge and policy for sustainable development. This involves promoting
scientific research, addressing global challenges like climate change, and fostering
scientific ethics and governance.

In regards to the social and human sciences, UNESCO works in addressing

emerging social and ethical challenges. This includes promoting social inclusion,
intercultural dialogue, and building a culture of peace and human rights. In addition,
UNESCO also works in fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a
culture of peace. This includes protecting cultural heritage, promoting cultural
exchange, and supporting artistic expression. UNESCO also builds inclusive
knowledge societies through information and communication. This involves
promoting freedom of expression, media literacy, and access to information and
communication technologies (ICTs).

Additionally, UNESCO sets international standards and conventions in various areas

like education, science, and culture and provides technical assistance and capacity
building to member states to implement its programs and achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). It serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation
between countries and other stakeholders on issues related to education, science,
and culture.

Specifically on the issue of ocean governance, UNESCO establishes the

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, which is an
international organization dedicated to fostering cooperation and action amongst its
150 member states on all matters related to the ocean. The IOC works on several
crucial fronts to achieve its goal of improved ocean management:

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 Capacity Development: The IOC empowers member states by providing
training, resources, and expertise to build knowledge and skills necessary for
effective ocean governance.
 Ocean Observations and Services: The IOC facilitates and coordinates efforts
to collect and share critical data about the ocean's health. This includes
monitoring oceanographic conditions, tracking marine life populations, and
observing changes in the climate system.
 Ocean Science: The IOC promotes and facilitates research across various
marine science disciplines to understand the ocean comprehensively. This
research informs decision-making on ocean management and conservation
strategies.
 Tsunami Warning: The IOC plays a vital role in the Global Tsunami Warning
System, providing early warnings to coastal communities in the event of
potential tsunamis, saving lives and minimizing damage.
 Ocean Literacy: The IOC actively promotes public awareness and
understanding of the ocean's critical role in our planet's health and well-being.
This includes education initiatives and programs to foster a sense of
responsibility for ocean conservation.

The IOC's work aligns perfectly with UNESCO's broader mission of promoting
scientific advancement and knowledge development. By focusing on ocean sciences,
the IOC contributes to building the necessary knowledge base for sustainable
development and peace. A healthy and well-managed ocean is essential for global
economic and social progress, fostering international cooperation and ensuring the
well-being of future generations.

Key Issues

The ocean is far more than just a vast body of water. It's a critical part of the intricate
system that makes our planet habitable. Covering 71% of Earth, the ocean is like a
giant heat and carbon sponge. It absorbs the excess heat generated by human
activities, helping to regulate temperatures. It also takes in a massive portion of our
carbon emissions. Without the ocean, our planet would be suffering much more

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severe effects of climate change. The ocean is also a provider of oxygen, as marine
plants and phytoplankton become key.

The ocean is not static. Scientists work tirelessly to understand the forces that drive
ocean currents, weather patterns, and long-term climate conditions. This knowledge
is critical for managing this precious resource and predicting how changes might
affect our planet. Unfortunately, our actions are profoundly changing the health of
our oceans. Pollution, overfishing, and rising temperatures are causing significant
damage. These changes disrupt the delicate balance the ocean maintains, with
potentially disastrous consequences.

As our oceans become busier, managing them sustainably is crucial. Marine Spatial
Planning (MSP) is a key tool for achieving this. MSP is a planning approach that
moves beyond managing different ocean activities separately. It considers various
economic, environmental, and social goals simultaneously, aiming to reduce conflicts
between different ocean uses (e.g., fishing, shipping, tourism) and promote peaceful
coexistence and collaboration among different users.

Ocean management faces several challenges, mainly related to:

 Fragmentation: Different sectors and levels of government often have separate
rules and regulations, creating a complex and sometimes contradictory system.
 Scale Mismatch: Ocean processes and issues often operate at different scales
(local, regional, global) than the existing governance frameworks.
 Uncertainty: New technologies and climate change constantly introduce new
challenges that planning needs to adapt to.
 Capacity: Implementing MSP requires specific knowledge, skills, and resources,
especially in the initial stages.

Our actions on land affect ocean health and vice-versa. Biodiversity and climate
change concerns need to be addressed in every area of policy and industry that
touches the ocean. We can no longer pretend the ocean is a pristine natural system.
Human influence is now a key factor driving ocean changes, from climate change to
local pollution. Science can help us understand problems and potential solutions, but

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it needs to be presented in a way decision-makers can understand and act upon. We
also need better ways to measure the success or failure of policies in protecting the
ocean. Science needs to be driven by a clear goal: finding sustainable ways to
protect ocean health. This means targeted research that fills the knowledge gaps
policymakers need to make informed decisions.

There are 9 (nine) challenges we face in understanding and protecting our oceans,
as follow:
 Continuous, integrated ocean observations to understand the ocean's current
state, how it changes over time, and its role in regulating Earth's climate;
 Understanding the physical and biological processes in the ocean that influence
and determine Earth's climate and how these processes are changing;
 Preserving marine life and biodiversity while ensuring the ocean continues to
provide us with essential services like food and oxygen production;
 Understanding how human activities are affecting the health of the ocean and
how these impacts, in turn, affect human health through various feedback loops.
 Understanding both natural and human-made hazards (like tsunamis and
pollution) that threaten the ocean and developing strategies to mitigate their
impact.
 Limitations and potential of using big data and artificial intelligence in ocean
research, aiming to find solutions for utilizing these tools effectively.

Past Actions and Case Studies

UNESCO has a long and distinguished history of involvement in ocean governance

and management, dating back to its establishment in 1946. Here are some key past
actions and ongoing initiatives undertaken by UNESCO in this area:
Early Efforts:
 1960: Establishment of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
(IOC) as a UNESCO program dedicated to promoting international cooperation
in marine sciences.

Policy and Standards:

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 1982: Adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS), which sets a legal framework for ocean use and management.
UNESCO played a key role in its development and continues to promote its
implementation.
 1994: Development of the Jakarta Declaration on Marine Scientific Research,
promoting international cooperation in marine scientific research.
 2001: Adoption of the Criteria and Guidelines for the Identification and
Designation of World Heritage Marine Sites.

Programs and Initiatives:

 Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS): Established in 1991 to provide long-
term, sustained observations of the oceans.
 Global Tsunami Warning System: Established in 1965 to provide early
warnings of tsunamis for coastal communities.
 Marine Spatial Planning (MSP): Promoting the use of MSP as a tool for
managing human activities in the ocean sustainably.
 Ocean Teacher Global Programme: Building capacity in developing countries
through training and education in marine sciences and ocean governance.
 World Heritage Marine Sites: Designating and managing marine areas of
outstanding universal value as part of the World Heritage Convention.

Recent Efforts:
 2021-2030: Leading the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable
Development: This ambitious ten-year program aims to mobilize the
international community to generate the scientific knowledge needed for the
sustainable management of the ocean.
 Focus on Capacity Building: Particularly in developing countries, through
programs like the Ocean Teacher Global Programme and other initiatives.
 Promoting Ocean Literacy: Raising public awareness and understanding of the
ocean's importance through various educational programs and resources.

Additionally:

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 UNESCO regularly convenes international conferences and workshops on
ocean issues, fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders.
 It provides technical assistance to member states in developing and
implementing national ocean policies and programs.

Overall, UNESCO focuses on collaborative action, scientific knowledge generation,

capacity building, and public awareness continues to be crucial for the future health
of our oceans.

Questions a Resolution Must Answer (QARMAs)

1. What are the key challenges that Member States are facing in ocean
governance and management?

2. How can UNESCO fill the gaps in the understanding of the ocean to better
provide policy guidance and take measures to enhance the effectiveness of
ocean governance and management?

3. How can UNESCO work together with other multilateral and regional
organizations, including United Nations agencies, to address the issue of ocean
governance and management?

4. What can UNESCO improve from its current measures or programs to address
the issue in ocean governance and management?

5. How can UNESCO take into account the emerging challenges to the ocean
governance and management?