World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day is an international day that takes place annually on 8 June. The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[1] World Oceans Day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008. The international day supports the implementation of worldwide Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and fosters public interest in the management of the ocean and its resources.[2]

"Ocean Day" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Marine Day, China National Maritime Day, or Día del Mar.

World Oceans Day
A sunset in the White Sea
Observed byAll UN member states
Date8 June
FrequencyAnnual

History

1987–1992

The Brundtland Commission (also known as the World Commission on Environment and Development) noted in the 1987 Brundtland Report that the ocean sector lacked a strong voice compared to other sectors.[3]

At the first World Oceans Day in 1992, the objectives were to move the oceans from the sidelines to the center of the intergovernmental and NGO discussions and policy and to strengthen the voice of ocean and coastal constituencies worldwide.

2002–2008

In the early years of coordinated efforts by The Ocean Project, with World Ocean Network, events numbered in the dozens. During this time, www.WorldOceansDay.org launched, to help promote the event and generate more involvement through dissemination of resources, ideas, and tools free for everyone to use to celebrate World Oceans Day. In 2004, The Ocean Project and World Ocean Network launched a four-year petition to the United Nations to officially recognize 8 June as World Oceans Day . In December 2008, the UN General Assembly passed a Declaration to officially recognise the Day.[4][5]

2010

The Ocean Project and World Ocean Network recorded over 300 events for WOD 2010, a 26% increase over 2009. Participation in the United States increased by 32% (with participation in 37 states, as compared to 25 states the previous year). Forty-five countries participated in World Oceans Day 2010, including Bangladesh, Belgium, French Polynesia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malta, Malaysia, Venezuela, and Portugal.

2014

The United Nations launched the annual amateur World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition.[6][7]

2020

The theme for 'World Ocean Day' was 'Innovation for a sustainable ocean'.[8]

Themes

The United Nations selected the following annual themes for the Day:

  • 2009: "Our Oceans, Our Responsibilities".[9]
  • 2010: "Our Oceans: Opportunities and Challenges"[9]
  • 2011: "Our Oceans: greening our future"[9]
  • 2012: "UNCLOS @ 30"[9]
  • 2013: "Oceans & People"[9]
  • 2014: "Ocean Sustainability: Together let's ensure oceans can sustain us into the future"[9]
  • 2015: "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet"[10]
  • 2016: "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet"[10]
  • 2017: "Our Oceans, Our Future"[11]
  • 2018: "Clean our Ocean!"[11]
  • 2019: Gender and Oceans"[12]
  • 2020: "Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean"[13]

See also

References
  1. Swan, Judith. "About". United Nations. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  2. "World Oceans Day, 8 June". www.un.org. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  3. ARE, Federal Office for Spatial Development. "1987: Brundtland Report". www.are.admin.ch. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  4. "HOME". www.un.org. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  5. "A/RES/63/111: Oceans and the law of the sea" (PDF). United Nations. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  6. United Nations. "United Nations World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition". United Nations World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition 2014–2017. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  7. United Nations. "United Nations World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition". United Nations World Oceans Day Oceanic Photo Competition 2018+. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  8. "World Oceans Day 2020: History, significance & this year's theme".
  9. "PAST EVENTS". www.un.org. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  10. "World Oceans Day – 8 June". www.un.org. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  11. "HOME". www.un.org. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  12. "Home | World Oceans Day Online Portal". www.unworldoceansday.org. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  13. "Home | World Oceans Day Online Portal". www.unworldoceansday.org. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
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