1. Earth Observations in Service of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Michael Ott, IOC
GEO 2017 – Side Event
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
8:30-12:30, Room Hemisphere A

2. IOC Building knowledge and capacity
the only intergovernmental organization with a specific mandate in marine scientific research, services and capacity building in all of the world’s ocean basins
the competent international organization for marine science
(UNCLOS – United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
Marine Scientific Research
IOC helped establish Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network
Transfer of Marine Technology
preserve marine environment - exploit / explore resources
prevent ocean-related hazards - safe navigation
focal point for
observations - science - capacity development
data exchange - services - sustainable development

3. Sustainable Development Goals
What role for the IOC of UNESCO?
The work of IOC of UNESCO is relevant to 13 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals

4. Role of IOC Ocean Acidification & Technology Transfer
Capacity Development
IOC Guidelines for TMT
Global Ocean Observing System
TPOS2020, MESCAT, PACWAVE
Framework for Ocean Observing
integration across Panels / networks
readiness levels for technology
standards / best practices
AtlantOS
web-based monitoring tools
capacities and gaps analyses
OSSEs, costing studies
new sensors; tech road map
Blue Print
integrating multidisciplinary data; sustained funding, tech transfer

5. Global Ocean Science Report
published 2017
first global overview of existing ocean science capabilities
SDG14 monitoring tool: target 14.a
areas examined:
infrastructure science productivity
human resources financial investment
science collaboration
ocean science categories:
marine ecosystem functions & processes
ocean and climate
ocean health
human health and wellbeing
blue growth
ocean crust and marine geohazards
ocean technology
For more information about the Global Ocean Science Report:

6. International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
proposed Ocean Decade ( )
unanimously endorsed at IOC
now at UN General Assembly
key objectives:
build inventory of marine resources & identify opportunities to manage them in a sustainable manner
better quantitative knowledge of ocean bottom & water column ecosystems
understand impacts of cumulative stressors on the ocean
share knowledge & develop capacity via transfer of marine technology, for economic benefits of SIDS and LDCs
For more information about the proposed Ocean Decade:

7. Marine Spatial Planning
proposed Ocean Decade
Potential Outcomes
SMART Cables
Marine Spatial Planning
Better data / info about the state of the ocean
Greater scientific collaboration
Improved ocean management
Innovative technology for sustainable development
Observation-based Service delivery mechanisms
Science / policy platforms
More ocean science capacity
Stronger and more sustainable ocean economy

8. IOC-UNESCO partnerships and voluntary commitments
Ocean Acidification (GOA-ON)
Blue Carbon Partnership
Ocean Literacy & Education (SeaChange)
Ocean Observation
Capacity Development / TMT
Ecosystem based management
Ocean Decade (also in Call for Action)
Partnership on SDG data
UNESCO Marine and coastal sites