Further information on the theme is available at: https://one-ocean-science-2025.org/programme/themes.html#T4

Further information on the theme is available at: https://one-ocean-science-2025.org/programme/themes.html#T4

Further information on the theme is available at: https://one-ocean-science-2025.org/programme/themes.html#T4

Further information on the theme is available at: https://one-ocean-science-2025.org/programme/themes.html#T4

Further information on the theme is available at: https://one-ocean-science-2025.org/programme/themes.html#T4

The session will discuss how research and innovation can accelerate the protection and restoration of the Ocean and the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the High Seas Treaty in particular. It will showcase tried and tested innovative solutions for protecting and restoring marine biodiversity and ecosystems under the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters and discuss how to promote their uptake and deployment by communities in Europe and beyond. The session will discuss how to better connect communities dependent on healthy ocean with the necessary knowledge and innovative solutions to support them in becoming resilient, climate-neutral and future-proof.

The ocean covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface and acts as a vast storehouse for both carbon dioxide and heat, amongst providing other ecosystem services vital to humanity. Whilst climate change is imperilling marine life, the ocean is increasingly recognised as being a key ally in the fight against climate change. Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is a relatively novel ocean-based solution to climate change that has potentially huge mitigation potential, but is also controversial because of social and environmental concerns.

In this townhall session, we will present the findings of a new Blue Paper, commissioned by the Ocean Panel, on the ethical and effective development and deployment of mCDR approaches. Authors of the Blue Paper will present:
1) A review of status of current mCDR technologies, including their efficacy, cost, scalability, potential social and environmental impacts, and monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) needs.
2) A review of national and international governance considerations for mCDR, such as the application of the London Protocol and Convention.
3) A new, government-focused, Code of Conduct for the development and deployment of mCDR techniques.

Following this presentation, Peter Haugan will chair an open, candid, discussion on the three aspects above, with a particular focus on the content of the new Code of Conduct. The discussion will include contributions from the Blue Paper authors, Ocean Panel government representatives, and audience members.

The intended audience for this townhall session consists of scientists (with a particular focus on those working at the science/policy interface), and representatives of government and industry. Key outcomes include:
• Socialising the new mCDR Code of Conduct
• Facilitating constructive dialogue on its value and implications
• Advancing consensus among the scientific and policy communities of the place of mCDR as a responsible mitigation measure for climate change, ahead of the UN Ocean Conference.

The deep sea is the world’s largest ecosystem and its integrity and functioning are crucial for the stability of planetary processes such as climate regulation and the sustenance of life; yet it faces growing threats from human activities. Maintaining deep-ocean ecosystem integrity and resilience is essential to meet SDG14 and the UN Ocean Decade Vision 2030. Scientific networks such as the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI), the International Panel for Ocean Sustainability’s (IPOS) Global Deep-Sea Consultation, and the African Network of Deep-water Researchers (ANDR) are vital for connecting researchers and connecting researchers with policy processes. As human activities increasingly impact the deep ocean, formal and informal networks play an important role in ensuring that science informs policy discussions on pressing topics such as deep-sea mining, biodiversity conservation, fisheries management, and climate interventions. These globally-inclusive networks help translate complex scientific findings into policy-relevant insights, supporting discussions occurring across governance processes, including the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Agreement on Sustainable use and conservation of Marine Biodiversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), among others. This Town Hall event aims to highlight the role of scientific networks in providing strategic science policy advice for ocean stewardship, showcasing collaborative successes across a range of deep-sea issues, and identifying opportunities for different networks to further coordinate efforts to enhance our science to policy impact.

Target Audience
The Town Hall will engage a broad audience, including policymakers, researchers, philanthropic organizations, stakeholders in ocean governance, early career ocean professionals (ECOPs), and representatives from international ocean initiatives. This event will provide valuable insights for those involved in or affected by decisions related to deep-sea governance, including professionals in marine conservation, resource management, and climate policy.

Expected Outcomes
By the end of the Town Hall, participants will have a clearer understanding of how deep-sea science networks operate and collaborate to inform global policy. The event will:

1. Highlight case studies demonstrating successful science-policy interactions across a range of ocean-governance fora;
2. Demonstrate how scientific networks amplify voices that may otherwise go unheard by providing formal platforms to incorporate diverse and interdisciplinary expertise into global ocean governance processes;
3. Facilitate dialogue on challenges and opportunities for improving engagement between the scientific community and decision-makers;
4. Foster knowledge exchange across scientific networks, to enhance and promote collaborative efforts to address deep-ocean environmental challenges.

Through short introductory presentations and participatory dialogue, the Town Hall aims to strengthen relationships between deep-sea research networks and global governance bodies, ultimately enhancing the role of science and knowledge in safeguarding the deep ocean's unique ecosystems.

The global Argo program has demonstrated that mass autonomy can enable highly efficient global and realtime subsurface ocean monitoring. Argo's open data architecture strengthens equity in ocean knowledge and research, and underpins many societally important services. OneArgo is a proposed ambitious expansion of Argo to include the full ocean depth, the polar seas and to monitor ocean chemistry, carbon and plankton parameters. If implemented, OneArgo will enable and improve a large range of new ocean, climate and carbon prediction and knowledge services. We will discuss the present status of the international OneArgo effort, its potential future impacts and a call for action to implement it by 2030.