Road to Rio 2027

Solutions Blueprint: Ocean Information and Services

We invite you to contribute to the development of the Ocean Decade Solution Blueprint on Ocean Data, Information, and Services. The Blueprint is intended to connect work on ocean observing, data sharing, and ocean prediction across the broader ocean information value chain.

How to contribute

Two ways to shape the Blueprint

Review the draft Blueprint

We welcome written feedback on the draft document of the Ocean Information and Services Solution Blueprint here. We have developed a draft of sections 1-3 to provide an initial assessment of current impact, identify key gaps and priorities, and propose Solution Pathways.

When reviewing the draft, we welcome the following feedback:

  • Factual errors or inaccuracies: statistics, dates, names, or descriptions of initiatives that are incorrect or out of date. Please include a source where possible.
  • Significant omissions or gaps: needs, regions, user groups, sectors, or knowledge holders, including Indigenous and local knowledge, that are missing.
  • Specific suggested revisions to pathways or proposed actions: including actions your organisation could lead or support, partners, resources, or timelines.
  • Connections to existing initiatives or other Blueprints: Decade Actions, programmes, or regional and thematic Blueprints this work should link to.

You can provide feedback by commenting directly on the document.

Open the draft (Google Doc)

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Online · 18 and 19 November 2026

Join an online workshop

As part of this process, we will hold an online workshop bringing together different Decade stakeholders to review and co-develop the draft Blueprint, with particular focus on Sections 4–6: understanding and overcoming barriers, setting milestones, and the call for action.

Two identical workshop sessions will be offered to accommodate different time zones.

  • Session 1

    Wednesday 18 November 2026

    16:00–18:00 UTC

    Register (Zoom) Add to calendar

  • Session 2

    Thursday 19 November 2026

    07:00–09:00 UTC

    Register (Zoom) Add to calendar

Feedback on the Blueprint is welcome even if you are unable to attend the workshop.

What it aims to do

One of eight Ocean Decade Solutions for Rio 2027

The 2027 Ocean Decade Conference is built around eight Ocean Decade Solutions, each with its own Blueprint, alongside eight regional Blueprints. This one covers how we deliver data, observations and services for ocean management, which the other Solutions depend on.

Who is building it

A joint effort across observing, data and prediction

The Blueprint builds on the Vision 2030 white papers, existing programmes and community input.

What's in the draft

Six proposed pathways

The initial draft covers:

  1. Strategic relevance and policy context
  2. Current impact
  3. Needs and priorities
  4. Proposed pathways

The November workshops will develop the rest: barriers, milestones and a call for action.

  • Pathway 1Sustaining ocean observing and forecasting

  • Pathway 2Connecting ocean data systems

  • Pathway 3Moving innovation into operations

  • Pathway 4Developing useful products and services

  • Pathway 5Building capacity and skills

  • Pathway 6Securing long-term funding and support

Why it matters

Commitments already made depend on ocean information

Governments have committed to warn people of hazards, protect biodiversity, adapt to climate change, keep ocean industries safe and build scientific capacity. Many cannot yet generate or use the ocean information those commitments require.

The draft groups the gaps into foundations, connections, use and sustainability.

Timeline

Road to Rio and beyond

  1. December 2026

    Complete the Blueprint draft for the Ocean Decade Coordination Unit.

  2. Early 2027

    A broader online consultation is expected.

  3. 7–9 April 2027

    2027 Ocean Decade Conference, Rio de Janeiro: present shared priorities, engage partners and seek commitments.

  4. 2027–2030

    Put the priorities into action and track progress.

  5. Beyond the Decade

    Relevant outcomes feed into OceanObs'29. The Decade ends in 2030, and the aim is sustained ocean information and services toward 2040.

Questions?

Get in touch