Regional Science Stakeholders explore the Interaction between Climate Change and the Ocean in Asia Pacific SIDS

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On the occasion of Mother Earth Day on 22 April, UNESCO Jakarta Office organized the “Intersection between Climate Change and the Ocean in Asia Pacific SIDS” on 20 April 2021, supported by Japanese Funds-in-Trust. Panellists shared the overview of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Challenges and practices at SIDS, and the various practice on Climate Change mitigation and Ocean protection at SIDS.

The interaction of the earth, ocean, climate, and weather induced disasters are key scientific areas under UNESCO’s portfolio and where UNESCO’s multidisciplinary approaches can play an important role. UNESCO and partners explored how we can better support Small Island Developing states (SIDS), which are at particular risk. Dr. Hans Dencker Thulstrup, Officer in Charge of UNESCO’s Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, welcom ed representatives from SIDS, experts, UNESCO colleagues, and over 200 participants to enhance our understanding on ongoing work and explore future action we can take.

Dr. Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, set the scene by providing a UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). He highlighted that the first call for actions related to the Decade received hundreds of proposals, which shows strong interest and commitment from partners. Dr. Wenxi Zhu, Head and Programme Specialist UNESCO IOC/WESTPAC, explained the specific action in the region that included various ocean monitoring and capacity development efforts.