One Ocean Science Congress - between science and diplomacy

"This is the first scientific conference to be held in conjunction with a United Nations conference on the ocean", explains François Houllier, the Chairman and CEO of the Ifremer1  and joint organiser of the OOSC along with Jean-Pierre Gattuso, an oceanographer and CNRS research professor. However, the link between the two events is not a coincidence and directly results from a clear political choice by France and Costa Rica aimed at ensuring the third United Nations Ocean Conference is a diplomatic event informed by scientific knowledge from the outset. 

"That's why we conceived the OOSC in the perspective of science driving action by linking its programme to the multilateral instruments concerning the ocean", adds Jean-Pierre Gattuso. Therefore, all the major UNOC issues will be on the conference agenda. This is a technical, scientific and diplomatic gambit intended to produce a series of recommendations for decision-makers at the press conference and the dedicated Art & Science evening on June 5th.

A scientific strategy tailored for impact

The complementary nature of the CNRS and the Ifremer were central to organising this event. The former brings a wide range of disciplines to the table, including the humanities and social sciences, while the latter contributes its recognised expertise in marine environments and observation systems. "The union between our two organisations has driven the unprecedented mobilisation of national scientists and international partners alike," adds François Houllier. 

This is reflected in the independent international scientific committee made up of researchers from every continent and which put the OOSC programme together. Over 150 proposals were sent to the committee, testifying to the global community's enthusiasm for the subject. 33 round tables were selected from these, based on criteria of excellence and disciplinary, geographical and gender diversity.

The final programme has scheduled over 500 spoken presentations and 620 posters covering the ten ocean-linked themes and major issues over the three days. These include climate, biodiversity, illegal fishing, genetic resources, pollution, food, maritime transport, indigenous knowledge, the deep sea and even science itself. Eight of the themes are linked to international negotiations or agreements such as the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), the plastics treaty, the convention on biodiversity, discussions at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on decarbonising transport, and so forth.

New voices on global issues 

Experts from all over the world are expected to attend including David Obura, the chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity (IPBES), who is scheduled to present the IPBES's work on integrated solutions for sustainable development. He explains that "half the solutions identified in the latest IPBES report, Nexus, can be directly applied to ocean issues". The objective? To bolster the links between the ocean research community and the global governance of biodiversity.

The OOSC's inclusive structure also gives a platform for voices that are rarely heard in major international forums. The oft-marginalised Indian Ocean will be given pride of place in the keynote address by Sheena Talma, a marine biologist from the Seychelles. "I'll be taking advantage of this platform to discuss issues surrounding the deep environments of the Indian Ocean and focus on equity and the development of research in this region," she explains. She will use the Seychelles as a case study to showcase the emergence of new forms of scientific leadership in deep-sea exploration.

Investing in science

The event's final scheduled theme will be science's place in ocean governance. In an era of growing pressure on the ocean twinned with growing climate scepticism and anti-science rhetoric, this theme alone will incarnate the main theme of the event, namely that there can be no maritime policy without data, observation and research.

Discussions will also concentrate on the future of ocean sciences, essential tools like digital twins, artificial intelligence, Argo floats2  or satellites and data governance and international cooperation. Jean-Pierre Gattuso stresses the fact that "currently under 2% of the world's research budgets are devoted to the ocean even though it regulates the climate, feeds billions of people and hosts crucial biodiversity". The call from research is clearly that there should be massive investment in ocean science to make it the driving force behind the blue transition, rather than a kind of luxury. 

Behind the scientific riches of the OOSC one requirement stands out - inclusiveness. Invitations combined with dedicated financial support have been sent to nearly 70 researchers from developing countries. Also, younger scientists, or Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPS), will also be at the core of the programme, accounting for 40% of participants.

Recommendations ready to have an impact

The OOSC has pragmatic objectives including making an assessment of the current situation and the state of the ocean's health but, above all, tangible solutions are to be put forward. A summary of these recommendations translated into six languages will be given to the UNOC delegations to provide clear, ready-for-use messages for decision-makers and help build a real bridge between science and the decision-making process.

The Jacques Delors Institute3  and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI)4  will be jointly publishing a policy brief to reinforce these messages while particularly focusing on observation requirements, research funding and the conditions required for sustainable ocean governance. Particular emphasis will be put on making observations and putting forward appropriate solutions.

And yet, science cannot bring about change on its own. "The challenges faced by the ocean can't be dissociated from global issues. There will be no sustainable oceans if there isn't a profound transformation of our economic and social systems", explains David Obura. He considers that the right solutions lie in our collective choices of values, uses and governance, rather than just in nature or conservation issues.

This first OOSC In Nice should mark an unprecedented step forward by establishing a lasting link between science and decision-making in international marine negotiations. Sheena Talma sums things up thus. "In our current political climate, it's essential to remember the strength of multilateralism and come together for the good of our planet".

• 1French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea
• 2The international Argo programme runs a network of over 4000 autonomous floats that provide essential data for understanding the ocean's role in climate by continuously measuring ocean temperature, salinity and pressure at depths of up to 2000 metres.
• 3European research institute and think tank.
• 4Public policy research institute.