Leveraging Global South Perspectives for a Sustainable Ocean Future: Towards an International Panel for Ocean Sustainability

Organized by Research Centre Brasilia

In the face of escalating global challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, intersectional vulnerabilities, and geopolitical instabilities, to name a few—the re-imagination of Science-Policy-Society interfaces in Earth System Governance has become imperative. The potential role of Global Environmental Assessments (GEA) such as IPCC, IPBES, World Ocean Assessment, and others, in transforming these interfaces is a critical ter complex piece of the puzzle. The ocean, a vital component of the Earth's system, faces threats from overfishing, pollution, and climate change-induced acidification, endangering marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of billions. The 'Towards an international Panel for Ocean Sustainability' (IPOS) initiative is supported by the European Union and an increasing network of collaborators, and is currently leveraging an ambitious agenda to become a new Science-Policy-Society gateway that (re)connects knowledge and decisions for a sustainable Ocean. This initiative is currently in its seminal phase, focusing on the development of its concept, structure, and pilot projects through a series of engagement strategies with Ocean sustainability stakeholders worldwide. The results of engagements will inform debates on the designation of IPOS as a new international panel in the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in Nice 2025.

This interactive online session aims to provide space for scholarly participants from the Earth System Governance 2024 Forum community to appreciate the current development stage of IPOS, particularly concerning the challenges and opportunities for the institutionalization of transdisciplinary knowledge coproduction mechanisms into a new international body. The session will aim to (i) identify Ocean priorities in the Global South and explore how the IPOS initiative can address these through diversified knowledge systems and decision-making support; and (ii) discuss best practices for an effective science-policy interface, with emphasis on inclusivity, adaptability, and the integration of the perspectives Earth System Governance community from the Global South.