United Nations and the Oceans

The CBD's Sustainable Ocean Initiative facilitates partnerships to improve conservation and sustainable use of ocean, marine and coastal biodiversity.

The Conference convens to consider recommendations and elements necessary to elaborate the text of an international legally binding instrument under UNCLOS on the conservation and use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

IOC is recognized through UNCLOS as the competent international organization in the fields of Marine Scientific Research and Transfer of Marine Technology.

IAEA uses nuclear science and technology and facilitates the transfer of such technology and knowledge for ocean monitoring, research and capacity building activities.

UNCTAD is supporting developing countries to identify the opportunities and challenges that the oceans economy can bring.

UNDP works in cooperation with other UN agencies and others to improve water and ocean management through effective water and ocean governance.

Clean Seas was launched in February 2017, with the aim of engaging governments, the general public and the private sector in the fight against marine plastic pollution.

UNEP Oceans & Seas promotes the protection and sustainable management of the world’s marine and coastal environments.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its ocean related activities include elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, prevention of marine plastic pollution and sustainable development of the blue economy.

The UN Global Compact aims to mobilize a movement of sustainable businesses, alongside Government and civil society, to take necessary actions to secure a healthy ocean.

UN-Oceans seeks to enhance the coordination, coherence and effectiveness of competent organizations of the UN system and the International Seabed Authority, in conformity with UNCLOS, the respective competences of each of its participating organizations and the mandates and priorities approved by their respective governing bodies.

SDG 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

As weather, climate and the water cycle know no national boundaries, WMO provides a framework for international cooperation to support ocean observations, research and services.