The Global Ocean Science Report (GOSR) assesses for the first time the status and trends in ocean science capacity around the world. The report offers a global record of who, how, and where ocean science is conducted: generating knowledge, helping to protect ocean health, and empowering society to support sustainable ocean management in the framework of the United Nations Agenda 2030.

The GOSR identifies and quantifies the key elements of ocean science at the national, regional and global scales, including workforce, infrastructure and publications. It is the first collective attempt to systematically highlight opportunities as well as capacity gaps to advance international collaboration in ocean science and technology.

This first edition of the report together with a tailored data portal is envisaged to serve policy-makers, academics and other stakeholders seeking to harness the potential of ocean science to address global challenges. The comprehensive view of existing ocean science capacities at the national and global levels today, takes us closer to develop strategies to develop research capacity building and transfer marine technology based on regular updated information (SDG 14.a).

For the upcoming years the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) is committed to support Member States to improve their knowledge on existing ocean science technologies, including infrastructure and human resources, research collaboration. The newly gained knowledge will help to identify opportunities and challenges in terms of ocean science investment and cooperation needed to ensure a sustainable use of the ocean.

To provide an engaging framework for consolidating and focusing the required observations and research needed to support SDG 14, IOC of UNESCO and its partners are calling for 2021-2030 to become the International (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As a key partnership to the Ocean Conference, it is proposed to develop a ten-year cooperative programme on ocean science to support effective ocean governance, stewardship and sustainable development of the ocean. The GOSR will be utilized as a mechanism to guide efforts in this direction.

This voluntary commitment clearly aims to increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, and hence will provide an authoritative mechanism to monitor progress towards the attainment of Target SDG 14.a.