Future decade of ocean science: prospects of interaction of Ukraine with the intergovernmental oceanographic commission of UNESCO

Abstract

The article considers the prospects of Ukraine’s cooperation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in the scope of the forthcoming United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. According to the resolution adopted on the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, the Decade is to begin on January 1, 2021 and take place within the existing structures and available resources. The purpose of the Decade is to implement the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, namely “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC), maintained by Member States, facilitates international cooperation and the coordination of programs to deepen knowledge about the nature and resources of the oceans and coastal areas. The IOC is currently finalizing draft implementation plan for the Decade (2021—2030) in consultation with Member States, specialized agencies, funds, programs and bodies of the United Nations, as well as other intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations and relevant stakeholders with the aim to identify specific objectives, crosscutting issues and key Decade`s themes. Ukraine’s membership in the IOC UNESCO is strategically focused on expanding international cooperation of domestic scientific and educational institutions by ensuring their participation in the program activities of the organization. There should be only one national coordinating body for liaison with the Commission within each IOC member state. Unfortunately, in Ukraine there is no such legitimate coordinating body today. Considering the intergovernmental character of the Commission, this officially designated body is governmental by nature and relies on institutional basis as well as answers directly to a ministry. Therefore, in accordance with the requirements of the IOC UNESCO it is necessary to establish the Interdepartmental National Oceanographic Commission as a national coordinating body in Ukraine that will determine one or two coordinators, a professional national correspondent in the relevant IOC field, as well as representatives of intergovernmental programs and thematic groups.

Keywords

• ocean science
• sustainable development
• national oceanographic commission
• unesco intergovernmental oceanographic commission
• united nations