The attendees were satisfied with the outcome of the visit, which allowed them to learn first-hand about the Institute's activities.
An UNESCO delegation led by Julian Barbière, head of the Marine Policy area of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), and by the deputy coordinator of the Decade, Alison Clausen, visited last week different entities and sites in Barcelona, including the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), to learn about the initiatives that are being carried out in the Catalan capital within the framework of this decade declared by the United Nations to improve the current ocean’s status.
During their visit to the ICM-CSIC, the Decade leaders were received by the ICM-CSIC director, Valentí Sallarès; the Transfer vice-director, Francesc Piferrer and the Institutional and International Relations vice-director, Josep Lluís Pelegrí. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the General Directorate of Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries of the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Strategic Office of the Coastal Area of the Barcelona City Council, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), the BlueNetCat and the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation.
The attendees were satisfied with the outcome of the visit, which allowed them to see first-hand the activity of the Institute, and praised the work being done from Ocean Cities, a strategic program of the Decade led by the ICM-CSIC that seeks to promote sustainable ocean cities and change the way in which citizens interact with the ocean. It is made up of some thirty entities from around the world, including research centres, ministries, city councils and arts organizations.
"You are located in an exceptional environment, and I am convinced that your activities will contribute to achieving the objectives of the Decade”, stated Julian Barbière, head of Marine Policy for the Ocean Decade. For her side, the deputy coordinator of the Decade, Alison Clausen, stressed the importance of the current moment, which she said is "key" to involve citizens in the ocean’s protection.
Finally, the ICM-CSIC director, Valentí Sallarès, thanked the delegation for their interest in counting on the Institute for the organization of activities related to the Decade and expressed the “full availability” of the centre to continue contributing to it actively, as it has been doing so far.
The Ocean Decade
In December 2017, the UN proclaimed the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to foster international cooperation in the development of scientific research and the application of innovative technologies that link ocean sciences with societal needs.
It was then that the United Nations General Assembly entrusted UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) with the task of working with all stakeholders in the design of this decade to transform societies through knowledge, scientific and technological capacity and innovative solutions.
Actions under the Decade should support efforts to reverse the deteriorating cycle of ocean health and bring ocean stakeholders around the world together around a common framework to ensure that ocean science can fully support countries in creating better conditions for the sustainable development of the ocean, whose well-being is key to securing the future of the planet.