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With global ocean governance frameworks taking shape in 2025, the success of the Ocean Decade will hinge on stronger coordination, sustained investment, and deeper engagement with communities and industry
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The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), proclaimed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 2017, aims to advance ocean science and develop solutions for a healthier ocean. Coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the Decade pursues the vision of “the science we need for the ocean we want.” It focuses on ten challenge areas, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and multiple stakeholders across sectors to build knowledge and lasting partnerships that address growing pressures on the world’s oceans.
Rising sea levels, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and climate change have made the ocean central to global sustainability. Since 2021, Ocean Decade initiatives have been globally supported, focusing on ocean observation, ecosystem protection, capacity building, and data sharing. New technologies, such as satellites, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and autonomous systems, have helped monitor ecosystems, pollution, and fish stocks. Regional programmes have also encouraged youth involvement and the use of indigenous knowledge, while policy reforms at both local and international levels have reinforced these efforts. While progress is evident, much more will need to be done to ensure that Ocean Decade actions have a lasting impact.
Many initiatives struggle with funding, limiting their scale and long-term sustainability. For example, coastal observation and monitoring systems in certain parts of Africa and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) often face challenges in securing consistent financing and equipment, making it harder to collect the data needed for climate adaptation and planning. Coordination across sectors such as fisheries, shipping, energy, and conservation is also weak, which leads to fragmented decision-making. Regional cooperation, such as through the Blue Benguela Current Action programme, underscores how Angola, Namibia, and South Africa are working together to manage the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, but aligning policies and improving governance coordination remain key challenges for sustainable management.
Without stronger links between research and policymaking, greater investment in capacity across regions, and increased involvement of industry and communities, the Ocean Decade will not be able to achieve its full potential.
Deep-sea research is another area where gaps persist, with large areas of the ocean floor still unexplored. In developing economies, limited infrastructure and access to advanced technologies make this problem more challenging. At the same time, community-led initiatives, such as the Ghana Ocean Climate Innovations Hub, which combines traditional knowledge with digital mapping tools to protect mangroves and marine biodiversity, show how local engagement can strengthen resilience. The Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility supports local communities in the Pacific, such as the Babanakira people in the Solomon Islands and Native Hawaiians. It brings youth and community leaders together to learn from the community and involve them in designing early warning systems and natural resource management. Without stronger links between research and policymaking, greater investment in capacity across regions, and increased involvement of industry and communities, the Ocean Decade will not be able to achieve its full potential.
As the Ocean Decade reaches its midpoint, 2025 was an important year for ocean governance, marking a transition from planning to action. The United Nations Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) came into force, requiring countries to work together to protect marine life in the high seas. The World Trade Organization’s new rules on fisheries subsidies also took effect, aiming to reduce overfishing, promote fair competition, and support sustainable seafood. At the same time, amendments to MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) are ensuring that shipping is more transparent and less harmful to the environment.
These initiatives provide countries, especially in the Global South, with real opportunities to access funding, share technology, and build the skills and capacity needed for sustainable ocean management.
For the first time, COP30, held in Belém in 2025, included an ocean envoy, underscoring the link between oceans and climate action. Countries pledged to make sustainable ocean planning part of their climate strategies, with Brazil pledging to cover its entire Exclusive Economic Zone under Sustainable Ocean Plans by 2030. Furthermore, the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), which brought together governments, businesses, scientists, and civil society, issued a political declaration to accelerate ocean conservation and improve coastal resilience. The declaration also encouraged private-sector investment in sustainable seafood and ocean technologies. Several new initiatives were also launched, including the Nice Ocean Action Plan to expand protected areas, decarbonise shipping, and provide finance for vulnerable countries. Other efforts included Space4Ocean, to improve ocean monitoring, the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean to reduce underwater noise, and the Ocean Tourism Pact, which promotes sustainable coastal and marine tourism.
These initiatives provide countries, especially in the Global South, with real opportunities to access funding, share technology, and build the skills and capacity needed for sustainable ocean management. Decisions made in 2025 will now shape how ocean governance becomes more credible, effective, and better able to protect the world’s oceans for future generations.
For India, the Ocean Decade holds special significance. With a coastline of over 11,098 kilometres and a large Exclusive Economic Zone, the ocean supports livelihoods, food security, trade, and national security. Since 95 percent of India’s trade moves by sea, oceans are central to economic growth and to strategic plans like the Sagarmala, Maritime Vision 2030, and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. To support sustainable ocean management, India has launched initiatives such as One Nation-One Port, which improves port efficiency and data sharing; Harit Sagar, promoting green port operations; decarbonisation efforts to reduce shipping emissions; and SAGAR SETU, which strengthens digital connectivity and monitoring across maritime systems. India also plays a leading role in the International Maritime Organization, topping Category B for the second time, showing its growing global influence.
To support sustainable ocean management, India has launched initiatives such as One Nation-One Port, which improves port efficiency and data sharing; Harit Sagar, promoting green port operations; decarbonisation efforts to reduce shipping emissions; and SAGAR SETU, which strengthens digital connectivity and monitoring across maritime systems.
India is already contributing to the Ocean Decade in many ways. The National Decade Coordination Committee (NDCC) coordinates India’s response and aligns national ocean science activities with the Ocean Decade goals. The Deep Ocean Mission and the Samudrayaan project are developing a manned submersible vessel to explore the deep ocean. India is also improving ocean observation and biodiversity research through data systems and deep-sea surveys. The Decade Collaborative Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (DCC-IOR) promotes regional collaboration, while India’s participation in forums like the UNOC, where it showcased the SAHAV digital ocean data portal and coastal clean-up campaigns, demonstrates its global engagement. The country is also building capacity and raising awareness through programmes like the early-career ocean professionals (ECOP), engaging local people.
India has made significant progress in managing and using its oceans sustainably, but several challenges remain. Many fish stocks are under stress, ocean governance is spread across multiple ministries and agencies with overlapping responsibilities, coastal rules are unevenly enforced, and marine protected areas (MPAs) cover only a small part of India’s waters. At the same time, coastal and island communities face growing risks from cyclones, sea-level rise, and erosion. Small-scale fishers, who depend directly on healthy marine ecosystems, are often the most affected, highlighting the need for stronger coordination and greater local involvement. Building on its achievements, India must bring policies together across sectors. India must enhance investments in science, technology, and infrastructure, while involving local communities in decision-making. Stronger ocean data systems, early warning mechanisms, and digital tools can support better planning and disaster preparedness.
India must enhance investments in science, technology, and infrastructure, while involving local communities in decision-making. Stronger ocean data systems, early warning mechanisms, and digital tools can support better planning and disaster preparedness.
The Ocean Decade offers India an opportunity to learn from global experience, secure international support, strengthen ocean governance, and adopt a more unified approach. India can bolster its connectivity through Sagarmala and global port networks to improve its maritime infrastructure and link ocean development with economic growth. India can utilise its own forums and global platforms, such as the UNOC, to shape discussions on ocean issues. Through regional groupings like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), as well as green shipping corridors, India can mobilise funding, share technology, and build capacity, while also securing trade routes and advancing its national goals.
As 2025 draws to an end, governments must act decisively and deliver on their Ocean Decade commitments. Further progress depends on how well governments act and follow through on their commitments. For India and the wider international community, the focus now needs to shift to tangible actions: stronger governance, more investment in ocean science, and policies that support coastal communities. There is also a need to improve monitoring, protect marine ecosystems, and use ocean resources more responsibly. Healthy oceans beyond 2030 will require the momentum from 2025 to continue, requiring steady political will, better coordination, and a clear focus on delivering results on the ground.
Anusha Kesarkar Gavankar is a Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Dr. Anusha Kesarkar-Gavankar is Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. Her research spans the maritime economy, with a focus on sustainability, infrastructure, port-led development, ...
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