UNESCO-IOC Chair Says China Has Become an Important Leader in the "Ocean Decade"

At the United Nations “Ocean Decade” 2026 Qingdao International Ocean Literacy Conference, which opened on September 4 in Qingdao, Shandong, Toyoshi Dota, Chair of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, said in a video address that China has become an important leader in the “Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Decade (2021–2030).” He introduced that the “Ocean Decade” was launched by the UN General Assembly in 2017, with the goal of promoting innovation in ocean science and knowledge, improving the state of ocean systems, and creating new opportunities for the sustainable development of marine ecosystems. Dota said that multiple Chinese institutions have taken the lead in advancing a number of related initiatives and have developed a batch of ocean solutions that can be replicated and promoted. Dota also mentioned that an “inspiring and engaging ocean” is one of the seven societal outcomes of the “Ocean Decade,” and achieving this goal depends not only on scientific research and technology, but also on changing the public’s perception of the ocean and the way the next generation is educated. He called on all parties to strengthen blue curriculum development, teacher training, and the building of an ocean education system. During the conference, the “UN Ocean Decade Primary and Secondary School Ocean Literacy Alliance” was officially launched. Reports said this is China’s first specialized alliance focused on ocean education in primary and secondary schools, based on the framework of the “Ocean Decade.”