The ocean is essential for all life on Earth. It covers 70% of the planet’s surface, and absorbs nearly a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions. UNESCO aims to advance our understanding of the ocean, by improving management of marine resources, by protecting underwater heritage, and by educating about pressing challenges.
UNESCO fosters international cooperation in marine sciences to improve ocean management. This work is led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and includes global initiatives such as the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme.
The UK plays a vital role in UNESCO’s mission, with leading experts helping to achieve the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
UNESCO establishes an international normative framework for ocean governance through Conventions, Recommendations, Commissions, Committees, and other agreements. The Conventions and agreements help develop national policies in the natural sciences and set-up international frameworks for collaboration between researchers.
| Convention | Year | UK Ratified (Year) |
| 2001 | ||
We inform and advise on international and domestic ocean science matters to UNESCO and UK (and devolved) government, ensuring that the UK is seen as a world-leading, and trusted, authority in global ocean governance policy.
The UK National Commission for UNESCO ensures the UK’s leading specialists, intellectuals and academics are contributing to and shaping UNESCO’s ocean governance mandate. We also advise the UK and devolved governments on policy relating to UNESCO’s ocean governance activities.
Every accredited expert within our network is tasked with a specific committee or programme within UNESCO’s framework.
Professor David Drewry is the UKNC Non-Executive Director who has responsibility of the Natural Sciences portfolio, including ocean governance.
UNESCO Chair in Ocean Governance at the University of Portsmouth, led by Professor Pierre Failer
UNESCO Chair on Water Science at the University of Birmingham, led by Professor David Hannah
UNITWIN Network on Ecohydrological Interfaces Under Change at the University of Birmingham, led by Professor David Hannah and Professor Stefan Krause
UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science at University of Dundee, led by Professor John Rowan
Dr John Siddorn, National Oceanography Centre (NOC): UK Delegation to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO)
Alan Evans, National Oceanography Centre (NOC): UK Delegation to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO)
Professor Alan Jenkins, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) : UK Representative on Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme Council (IHPC)
Professor Harry Dixon, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) : UK Representative on Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP)
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) - UK Delegation to the IHP/National Committee
UK National Oceanography Centre - UK Delegation to the IOC
Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW)
