ISA and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
In 2017, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 to foster scientific research and technological innovation to support a healthier and more sustainable ocean. This initiative is coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The objectives of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science are at the core of ISA’s mandates to promote and encourage the conduct of marine scientific research in the international seabed area (the Area), coordinate and disseminate the research and analysis when available and facilitate the participation of developing States in deep-sea exploration and research programmes.
To formalize and organize its contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science, ISA has developed a Marine Scientific Research Action Plan to support achieving the scientific objectives and societal outcomes identified. This Plan reflects the vision endorsed by 168 Members of ISA through the adoption of its Strategic Plan and High-Level Action Plan for 2019-2023.
Argentina, Champion of the Action Plan
Argentina, which is currently chairing the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission under the leadership of Mr. Ariel Troisi, will act as Champion of the ISA Marine Scientific Research Action Plan and will work with ISA to promote the shared goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
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“Argentina is proud to have been invited by the Secretary-General to act as Champion of the Authority’s Action Plan in support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. In this sense, our country is committed to contributing and working together with the Authority to promote the objectives of the Decade, especially those related to the promotion of marine scientific research in the Area, equitable access to its results, and the participation of developing States in the activities carried out there, always respecting the principle of the common heritage of humankind of its resources and the protection of the marine environment.”
Permanent Representative of the Argentine Republic to ISA, H.E. Luis del Solar Dorrego |
ISA’s strategic research priorities for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science
The Action Plan identifies six strategic research priorities and a list of priority outputs that will materialize the contribution of ISA to the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science.
1. Advancing scientific knowledge and understanding of deep-sea ecosystems, including biodiversity and ecosystem functions, in the Area.
2. Standardizing and innovating methodologies for deep-sea biodiversity assessment, including taxonomic identification and description, in the Area.
3. Facilitating technology development for activities in the Area, including ocean observation and monitoring.
4. Enhancing scientific knowledge and understanding of potential impacts of activities in the Area.
5. Promoting dissemination, exchange and sharing of scientific data and deep-sea research outputs and increasing deep-sea literacy.
6. Strengthening the deep-sea scientific capacity of ISA members, in particular developing States.
Discover “the Area”
The Area is defined as the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. It represents around 50 per cent of the total area of the world’s oceans.
Understanding the deep-seabed environment: DeepData
| Enhanced understanding of the deep-seabed environment and its ecosystems is central to identifying scientifically robust and adequate measures required to protect the marine environment and conserve biodiversity. For this reason, all environmental data collected by contractors while exploring for minerals in the Area is made accessible to the public in ISA Deep Seabed and Ocean Database – the DeepData.
Currently, the DeepData contains biological, physical and geochemical parameters of the marine ecosystems from the seafloor to the ocean surface covering approximately 1 per cent of the Area (correlating to the area under exploration). |
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Related news and resources:
- ISA launches its Action Plan for Marine Scientific Research in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development – 17 December 2020
- High-level webinar to present ISA’s draft Action Plan in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development – 17 November 2020
- Argentina to Champion ISA Draft Marine Scientific Research Action Plan in support of the UN Decade of Ocean Science – 7 October 2020