Welcome to the World Oceans Day Portal of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO!
The IOC is delighted to welcome you back to celebrate the 2016 edition of the United Nations World Oceans Day, held each year on 8 June. People all over the globe are celebrating in multiple events – big and small – to mobilize society and protect the ocean, its biodiversity and its resources.
This is your portal to tune into all that is happening worldwide around World Oceans Day. This 8 June, decision-makers, scientists, businesses, civil society advocates and youth are all connected in a big chain of events promoting a more sustainable, respectful relationship between humankind and our planet’s crown jewel: the ocean.
The IOC has created this portal as a guide to this special celebration: a history of World Oceans Day, the programme of activities organized at UNESCO Headquarters and around the world, a press kit, event-planning resources and much more!
Now tell us: how will you celebrate World Oceans Day? Share your stories, pictures, videos – anything goes to show your enthusiasm! Tag your Facebook and Twitter posts #WorldOceansDay and get in on the worldwide festivities.
Good surfing!
Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Oceans Day
"2016 is the year when the world starts to implement the promises made in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. UNESCO’s message on World Oceans Day is clear – the ocean is essential to moving forward. A healthy ocean is a healthy planet, and a healthy planet is absolutely vital for the well-being of generations to come."
Full message: English ǀ Français ǀ Español ǀ Русский ǀ العربية ǀ 中文
