News

Hawai'i to host major international conference on ocean observations

Honolulu, Hawai鈥檌 鈥 From September 16-20, 2019, scientists, practitioners, and stakeholders from around the world will convene in Hawai鈥檌 for OceanObs鈥19, An Ocean of Opportunity. From autonomous ocean exploration technologies to questions of international governance, attendees will discuss recent advancements in the field and how to implement a sustained, multidisciplinary, and integrated ocean observing system.

Held outside of Europe for the first time in its history to better connect with and highlight the work of stakeholders in the Pacific, this decadal conference series will bring over 1,200 experts from more than 60 countries together to bridge the gap between the technical and scientific aspects of ocean observing and its applications and societal benefits. The conference will culminate in a consensus declaration with actions to guide the field over the next decade, complementing the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

鈥淲hile many may not realize it, people across the globe benefit from timely, reliable ocean observations every day. More accurate weather apps, sustainable seafood plans, and even today鈥檚 surf forecast are all thanks to our ever-advancing ocean observing capabilities,鈥 said Dr. Eric Lindstrom, Physical Oceanography Program Scientist in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA. 鈥淐onnecting the people who design new technologies for ocean observing systems with those who use them for research or decision-making is just one vital aspect of OceanObs鈥19. We need to make sure that, as a community, our priorities are aligned and support each other鈥檚 progress.鈥

The conference is uniquely collaborative. One hundred and forty Community White Papers written by authors worldwide and published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Marine Science form the basis for the conference鈥檚 24 community-led breakout sessions. Each breakout session will ask participants to craft and agree upon one to three key recommendations for the future of ocean observing, which will then be reported to the rest of the conference the following morning. Breakout session topics will include:

  • Climate Change and Variability
  • Global Observing System for Marine Debris
  • Traditional Knowledge Building
  • Observing Technology Innovation

In addition to the main conference, there will be a variety of side events and workshops held before and during OceanObs鈥19. The day before the conference officially starts, OceanObs鈥19 will welcome students and early career professionals for a special event offering curated talks and networking opportunities connecting them with mentors as well as their peers. The conference will also feature an Ocean Art Showcase in the Exhibit Hall with performances on the evenings of the 17th, 18th, and 19th.

 

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IOC-UNESCO at OceanObs鈥19

The GOOS Office will represent the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) at OceanObs鈥19. GOOS 鈥 The is a programme executed by the IOC and co-sponsored by the IOC, the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Science Council.  Through expert panels, projects and regional and global coordination groups, GOOS supports the design, coordination and implementation of an integrated global ocean observing system. At OceanObs鈥19, GOOS will present its new 2030 Strategy, aimed at responding to the growing need for ocean information of our society.

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About OceanObs鈥19

OceanObs鈥19 is a community-driven conference that brings people from all over the planet to communicate the decadal progress of ocean observing networks and to chart innovative solutions to society鈥檚 growing needs for ocean information. As the third installment of the decadal conference series, OceanObs鈥19 will celebrate progress across national, regional, and global ocean observation networks while establishing commitments to execute the collective vision for these systems over the coming decade.

Vision: In recognition of the central role the ocean plays in supporting all life on Earth, we see a resilient world whose societies prosper through sustainable interactions with our ocean, guided by timely, reliable, and accessible information.

The registration fee will be waived for credentialed members of the media. Please visit the  or contact media@oceanobs19.net for details. For more information, visit the conference website () and follow , #OceanObs19 on Twitter.

 

For more information, please contact:

Albert Fischer, Program Director, GOOS Office, IOC-UNESCO

a.fischer@unesco.org

Abby Ackerman, Media Contact, Consortium for Ocean Leadership

 aackerman@oceanleadership.org