New global capacity enhancement approach to strengthening Ocean Health for Sustainable Development

Oceans and marine coastal zones provide essential ecosystem services, crucial for maintaining our planet’s health and supporting human well-being. However, these ecosystems face threats from both local and global stressors, including climate change and pollution. To mitigate these threats, a combination of individual actions, policy changes, and global cooperation is required.

In this context, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recently launched a new global capacity-building project aimed at improving ocean health and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13, 14, and 17. These goals include the need for integrated scientific research on marine pollution, climate change, ocean acidification, and the carbon cycle at a global level.

The project focuses on consolidating and integrating existing capacities in IAEA Member States for coastal marine monitoring, established through the IAEA’s Technical Assistance projects over recent decades. This strategic approach aims to develop a global network of marine laboratories proficient in using nuclear and isotopic techniques to provide responses to stakeholders at national, regional, and global levels. These responses will cover the monitoring and risk assessment of marine biotoxin and marine pollution by mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and natural and artificial radionuclides.

Additionally, the project will integrate capacities to provide analytical responses in emergency situations and address SDG indicator 14.3 on ocean acidification. It also aims to strengthen global capacities to establish inventories and rates of blue carbon sequestration in coastal vegetative ecosystems. This effort will generate knowledge and scientific data to enhance understanding of the processes affecting ocean health and inform decision-making for the protection and conservation of the oceans, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This presentation will highlight the innovative approach of this unique project, addressing multiple major topics related to ocean health at once and it will provide up-to-date outcomes of this four-year international initiative.