"The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean.... Scientific understanding of the ocean's responses to pressures and management action is fundamental for sustainable development. Ocean observations and research are also essential to predict the consequences of change, design mitigation and guide adaptation." - UNESCO
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO was selected to develop an Implementation Plan for the Decade over the next two years, working with an Executive Planning Group recently established. The Plan is to have four components - Science Plan, Capacity Development Plan, Resource Mobilization Plan, Communications and Engagements Plan - and these components will take into account input received from stakeholders via town halls (such as those held at meetings of professional associations), regional workshops (to be held in 2019) and stakeholder forums (to be held in 2019 and 2020).
Whether you have learned of the Decade through such a town hall or otherwise, this survey is designed to facilitate your engagement in the United States contribution to the Decade. Your idea(s) will be considered by the American members of the Executive Planning Group to inform their discussions of the Implementation Plan.