World Oceans Day

The twenty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea , in 2026, will, in its deliberations on the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, focus its discussions on the theme: Marine ecosystem restoration . Third plenary session Item 6. Issues that could benefit from attention in the future work of the General Assembly on oceans and the law of the sea Item 7. Closing of the meeting 10. The Co-Chairs will close the meeting. Related Sites and Documents:  Website  &  Provisional Agenda . Watch the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP26)! General Assembly

The twenty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, in 2026, will, in its deliberations on the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, focus its discussions on the theme: Marine ecosystem restoration. Segment 2 (continued) Enabling and enhancing marine ecosystem restoration through international cooperation and coordination: challenges and opportunities (a) Panel presentations; (b) Discussion. Second plenary session (time permitting) Item 4. Inter-agency cooperation and coordination 7. In accordance with the terms of reference for UN-Oceans adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 68/70, the United Nations Legal Counsel/Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, as the UN-Oceans focal point, represents UN-Oceans at relevant meetings, including those under the Assembly. To ensure transparency and accountability, UN-Oceans, upon request from the Assembly, reports to Member Sta...

The twenty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, in 2026, will, in its deliberations on the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, focus its discussions on the theme: Marine ecosystem restoration. Segment 2: Enabling and enhancing marine ecosystem restoration through international cooperation and coordination: challenges and opportunities. (a) Panel presentations; (b) Discussion. Related Sites and Documents:  Oceans and the Law of the Sea Website  &  Provisional Agenda . Watch the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP26)! Live General Assembly

The twenty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, in 2026, will, in its deliberations on the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, focus its discussions on the theme: Marine ecosystem restoration. Segment 2: Enabling and enhancing marine ecosystem restoration through international cooperation and coordination: challenges and opportunities. (a) Panel presentations; (b) Discussion. Related Sites and Documents:  Oceans and the Law of the Sea Website  &  Provisional Agenda . Watch the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP26)! 02:45:34 General Assembly

The twenty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea , in 2026, will, in its deliberations on the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, focus its discussions on the theme: Marine ecosystem restoration. Discussion panel: Segment 1 (continued) The status of marine ecosystems and their role in sustainable development: new developments, approaches and challenges (a) Panel presentations; (b) Discussion. Related Sites and Documents:  Website  &  Provisional Agenda . Watch the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP26)! 02:02:39 General Assembly

The twenty-sixth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea , in 2026, will, in its deliberations on the Report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea, focus its discussions on the theme: Marine ecosystem restoration . Discussion panel - Segment 1: The status of marine ecosystems and their role in sustainable development: new developments, approaches and challenges. (a) Panel presentations; (b) Discussion. Related Sites and Documents:  Website  &  Provisional Agenda . Watch the Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP26) 02:19:27 General Assembly

Join us in reimagining our relationship to the ocean and integrate these topics from the  World Oceans Day thematic discussion guide into your global World Oceans Month dialogues. DOWNLOAD THE UN WOD DISCUSSION GUIDE

For too long, we have treated the ocean as something vast, distant, and separate from us. We created that distance ourselves. The ocean has always flowed through us, in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the climate that makes our lives possible. Now we are being called to reimagine that relationship. For the first time in a generation, humanity has chosen to govern a significant part of our shared ocean together. The entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement is not the end of negotiation but the beginning of a transformation that no treaty alone can complete. 'Reimagine' asks us to close that distance together. To move from passive inheritors of the ocean’s generosity to active guardians of its future . To govern not just beyond our borders but beyond our blind spots, beyond the habits of taking, operating in silos, and the belief that the way things have been is the way they must remain. Join the   UN World Oceans Day 2026  observance!

Closing Reflection A shared ocean. A shared future. A shared way forward .  Invite participants to complete the following:  ● My new relationship with the ocean looks like:  ● One action I'm taking towards a new future: Engage with UN World Oceans Day Post a photo and tag @UNWorldOceansDay on Instagram of your in-person, hybrid, or virtual event that integrated the Reimagine Discussion Guide . Let us know how the discussions progressed.  Share any revelations or reimagined actions that came from it.  Reimagining a better future is the first step to building it. It’s time to act as one.

 On Monday, June 8th , the High-level event to mark the UN World Oceans Day 2026 will be hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with Oceanic Global. Register to participate! Jun 05 - World Oceans Day Festival - scheduled - Sea Cliff Puerto Vallarta + Google Map . Jun 05 - Common Waters: One Ocean Many Voices - scheduled - Arch Enemy Arts + Google Map . Jun 05 ( World Oceans Day Argentina – Festival 2026 - scheduled - Buenos Aires Planetarium + Google Map Jun 08 - World Ocean Day for Schools - scheduled Jun 08 - Blue Carbon-New FDI Channel - scheduled - virtual + Google Map Jun 08 - Launch of Music Celebrating World Oceans Day 2026 - scheduled - virtual + Google Map Jun 08 - World Oceans Day – Together for Our Blue Planet - scheduled - Street Ilioara, nr 16, Bucharest, Romania + Google Map Jun 08 - The ocean is closer than you think - scheduled - Kiln, Portland + Google Map Jun 08 - Sustainable ...

  Objectives ● To inspire a renewed understanding of our interdependence with the ocean ● To challenge existing systems, assumptions, and boundaries ● To create space for new ways of thinking, relating, and acting ● To catalyze collective, cross-sector action rooted in shared responsibility Who This Guide Is For  This guide is designed to be adaptable across contexts and audiences. It can be used to support: ● Youth & Educators Classroom discussions, student-led forums, and educational programming that foster early connection, curiosity, and responsibility. ● Scientists & Researchers Conversations that bridge research with real-world application, public understanding, and interdisciplinary collaboration. ● Policymakers & Government Leaders Dialogues that explore governance, shared responsibility, and implementation of global frameworks such as the BBNJ Agreement. ● Businesses & Industry Leaders Internal workshops or public-facing panels to rethink operational m...

  What does it mean to act beyond borders - together? The ocean connects all nations, yet governance has often been fragmented across borders and sectors. Today, global cooperation - for example through the BBNJ Agreement - signals a shift toward collective action.  To reimagine collaboration is to move beyond coordination toward true collective stewardship.  Discussion Prompts: ● What does effective intergovernmental collaboration look like in practice for ocean sustainability? ● Where have international efforts succeeded - and where have they fallen short? ● How can countries move beyond sectorial approaches to prioritize the health of our shared ocean? ● How can global agreements translate into meaningful action at regional, national, and local levels?

  What becomes possible when the next generation leads?  Young people are not only future leaders - they are already shaping the present through advocacy, innovation, and action. To reimagine our relationship with the ocean is to expand who leads - and who is heard. Discussion Prompts: ● How are young people currently influencing ocean action in your community or field? ● What barriers prevent youth from meaningfully participating in decision-making - and how can they be removed? ● What would it look like to design systems that effectively engage youth leadership, not just youth participation? ● How can intergenerational collaboration strengthen ocean solutions? ● How can current leaders support, resource, and amplify youth-led initiatives?

  What does prosperity look like in balance with the ocean? The ocean is a source of livelihoods, innovation, and economic growth. Yet too often, economic systems have prioritized over-extraction over regeneration. To reimagine the blue economy is to ask: what if economic success was defined by the health of the ocean itself? Discussion Prompts: ● What would a truly sustainable and regenerative blue economy look like in your region or industry? ● Where do current economic systems create harm to ocean ecosystems - and why do those systems persist? ● What existing models or solutions demonstrate that economic growth and ocean health can coexist? ● How can businesses and industries transition from overly extractive practices to regenerative ones? ● What decisions can be made today to ensure that ocean-based economies support both people and planet, for generations to come?

  What can we relearn to move forward?  Long before modern systems of governance and science, communities around the world lived in deep relationship with the ocean - guided by knowledge systems rooted in observation, respect, and reciprocity. To reimagine our future, we must also reconnect with what has long been known.  Discussion Prompts: ● What Indigenous, Traditional and Local community Knowledge systems already embody a more connected relationship with the ocean? ● Where have modern systems created distance from these ways of knowing - and what has been lost as a result? ● What would it look like to center Indigenous, Traditional and Local community Knowledge alongside scientific knowledge in ocean decision-making? ● How can we ensure that the integration of Indigenous, Traditional and Local community Knowledge is respectful, equitable, and led by the communities it belongs to? ● What practices, values, or perspectives could we restore or relearn to guide a more reg...

  What becomes possible when we act as one?  The future of the ocean will not be shaped by isolated efforts - but by aligned action.  Discussion Prompts: ● If we succeed, what does a thriving ocean look like in one generation? ● What decision can you or your organization make today that future generations will recognize as a turning point? ● What is your role in bridging the gap between the ocean we have and the ocean we need? ● What does “acting as one” look like in practice over the next 12 months? ● How can we sustain momentum beyond World Oceans Day?

How do we bring the ocean closer to everyone?  Connection drives care. Care drives action.  Discussion Prompts: ● How can we make the ocean more tangible for those who have never experienced it directly? ● What barriers - geographic, economic, cultural - limit connection to the ocean? ● How can education, media, and experiences close this gap? ● What role do art, culture, and storytelling play in making the ocean accessible to all? ● How do we ensure that access leads to sustainability - not over exploitation?

  What becomes possible when we think beyond existing systems?  Innovation is not only about technology - it is about rethinking what is possible.  Discussion Prompts: ● What solutions already exist that we are not scaling or supporting enough? ● What would innovation look like if it prioritized regeneration over extraction? ● How can organizations foster creativity by challenging existing assumptions? ● What new models - economic, environmental, or social - could redefine success in ocean sustainability? ● Where can bold, unconventional thinking unlock new pathways forward?

  What does it mean to govern beyond borders - and beyond blind spots?  We are entering a new era of shared ocean governance - but systems must evolve alongside intention.  Discussion Prompts: ● In your field, what would it look like to go beyond what has previously seemed possible? ● What are the blind spots in how your institution or sector relates to the ocean? ● Where is the gap between individual willingness to act and institutional commitments? ● What is the greatest barrier to transforming our relationship with the ocean at a systems level? ● How can global frameworks (such as the BBNJ Agreement) translate into real, local impact

  What does a new relationship look like - together?  A shared ocean requires a shared way forward.  Discussion Prompts: ● What does the practice of unity around the ocean look like in your community or organization, where does it exist and where is it missing? ● How does your community currently treat what belongs to everyone - and therefore to no one? ● Whose voices are missing from ocean conversations, and how does that shape outcomes? ● What would your community need to leave behind to move from passive awareness to active stewardship? ● How can communities better reflect the interconnected nature of the ocean in their decisions?

  Where does the ocean live in your life? We often think of the ocean as a place. Reimagining begins when we recognize it as a presence within and around us. Discussion Prompts: ● Where do you feel the ocean’s presence in your daily life - even far from the coast? ● When did you first feel a genuine connection to the ocean? What created it? ● Where in your life do you recognize a sense of distance from the ocean? ● What would it mean to move beyond that distance into a more connected relationship? ● What is one belief or habit you would be willing to leave behind to step into that new relationship?