At the first preparatory meeting for the UN Oceans conference this June, the Scientific and Technological Community made a statement announcing the launch of a Knowledge Action Network on Oceans and called for strong partnerships between science and all sectors of society. Read on for the full statement, which was presented by Craig Starger on behalf of the Community, which ICSU co-organizes at the UN:
Thank you very much Mr(s). Co-Facilitators and Distinguished Delegates:
I am speaking on behalf of the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group and I represent an international organization for sustainability science called Future Earth and our partner organization the International Council for Science.
Human wellbeing is inextricably linked with the wellbeing of the ocean, however the rate of change in ocean health is accelerating, putting at risk the many services that the Ocean provides to humanity.
Strong partnerships between the scientific and technological community and all other sectors of society are vital in a world where deliberative enquiry and verifiable facts are increasingly questioned. More than ever, scientists need to work directly with all sectors of society to ensure the future of our oceans.
A key initiative being launched at the Oceans conference in June and feeding especially into theme number 6 and target 14 a on scientific knowledge is a multi-stakeholder platform led by Future Earth and our partners, called the “Ocean Knowledge Action Network.” This network seeks to stimulate and accelerate new partnerships for knowledge generation and implementation of SDG14. The Ocean Knowledge Action Network benefits from the rich and relevant work of a number of existing marine research projects under the umbrella of international science bodies such as the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), the World Climate Research Programme, IOC-UNESCO, and Future Earth.
Scientific knowledge can admittedly be slow in the making, while the challenges are urgent. However, what we already know can effectively be put into action. The Ocean Knowledge Action Network will roll out an integrated research agenda to catalyze and focus national ocean research and innovation networks. Our goal is to increase knowledge and research capacity in tandem with critical users of that knowledge. We invite you to join us in unlocking the power of action-oriented research to secure the future health of our oceans.
You can watch a recording of the full session below. The statement begins at 2:03:18.
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