The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO established its Sub Commission for Africa and Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) in 2011 as a framework to promote regional and international cooperation for the understanding and management of the African oceans and coastal ecosystems, in order to ensure sustainable development and safety of the coastal populations, taking into account the priorities of Member States from Africa.
The Vision of the IOCAFRICA is the voice of Africa on matters related to ocean science and the science base for ocean management, providing a unique Africa-wide platform, bringing together Member States, UN agencies and other stakeholders, to drive research, observations, and disaster preparedness and mitigation for the sustainable management of the African oceans and coastal areas.
The conference will provide a platform for the regional launch of the UN Decade for Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). It will also bring energy to the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015-2025) by providing impetus for development of ocean sciences, technology and innovation necessary for the harnessing the Sustainable Blue Economy in Africa as outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (“The Africa We want”) and the 2050 African Integrated Maritime Strategy. The Conference will build on the previous initiatives and efforts with a view to give a new impetus for the development of ocean sciences, technology and innovation in Africa.

The Conference for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (the Ocean Decade) in Africa was kindly proposed and invited by the Arab Republic of Egypt. I thank Egypt very much for this very useful and timely initiative and also for the commitment and the effort!
The conference will celebrate the launch of the Ocean Decade in Africa at the continental level. It is designed as the launching pad that will bring us from the critical Ocean Decade’s preparation phase to even more critical phase of action and commitments. The hope is to create excitement amongst diverse stakeholders and stimulate their engagement in the Ocean Decade. We hope to be able to showcase at the Conference inaugural, innovative Ocean Decade Actions including programs, collaborations, and financial and in-kind contributions, including via the Ocean Decade Alliance, and, by that, inspire and facilitate action.
Modern leadership is in partnership, and we do hope to catalyse partnerships amongst diverse stakeholder groups and initiate co-design of transformative solutions towards achieving the Decade outcomes and vision.
Dear Colleagues, please read the Decade Implementation Plan or its Summary, please subscribe to the Decade Newsletter, and please think how you can contribute, who are your partners, and please do participate in the Conference!