Driving Global Action for Ocean Sustainability: The Role of an International Platform for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS)

As the world faces unprecedented ocean degradation, an International Platform for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS) emerges as a key innovation to bridge the implementation gap between knowledge and actionable policies. Supported by the European Commission, a global coalition of scientific institutions and international stakeholders, Towards IPOS aims to provide timely, scientifically robust, and inclusive knowledge solutions tailored to policymakers’ needs. Shaped by in-depth analyses of existing assessments, their best practices, limitations, and supplemented by extensive stakeholder consultations, the emerging IPOS is designed to address gaps to accelerate global ocean sustainability action by providing a transformative, collaborative framework for decision-makers, researchers, and communities to co-create solutions for pressing ocean challenges. This session will introduce the IPOS mission, outlining its vision to support global and regional sustainability goals (such as SDG 14) through accessible, contextually relevant solutions.