On the eve of World Oceans Day, June 6, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and the Preparatory Office of Shenzhen Ocean University hosted the United Nations (UN) Ocean Decade Actions International Initiation Conference in Baguang, Shenzhen.

The conference aimed to support the implementation plan of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade).

During the launch ceremony, two initiatives led by SUSTech were unveiled: the Intelligent Coastal-Urban-Bay CO₂ Emissions Studies (iCUBES) project and the SUSTech-SOU Decade Implementing Partner.

In his keynote speech, Zhanhai ZHANG, former Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Chairman of the China Association of Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development, commended Shenzhen’s innovative exploration and remarkable achievements in ocean development.

Jian LIN, Director of the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research at SUSTech, shared the goals and visions of the UN Ocean Decade’s implementing partner and announced the launch of the “National Ocean Literacy Index” Project. He highlighted four major innovations: “Scientists in Middle Schools” to cultivate students’ scientific literacy, “Entrepreneurs in Universities” to develop entrepreneur’s ocean literacy, “Non-Marine Scientists into the Ocean Field” to promote interdisciplinary development, and “Ocean Literacy Index” to comprehensively understand public’s ocean literacy.

Chuanlun ZHANG, Chair Professor of the Department of Ocean Science and Engineering at SUSTech, introduced the iCUBES project, which aims to leverage Shenzhen’s capabilities to enhance marine negative emissions productivity. The project focuses on the unique characteristics of coastal, urban, and bay areas, developing a three-dimensional integrated marine ecological monitoring system that emphasizes international collaboration, integration, and intelligence, supporting ocean carbon neutrality assessments and ecosystem health monitoring.

The UN Ocean Decade, being implemented between 2021-2030, seeks to advance transformative ocean science solutions, promote sustainable development, and restore humanity’s relationship with the ocean. Currently, Chinese scientists lead numerous projects and plans, second only to the United States, contributing approximately 10% of the total initiatives.

This event in Shenzhen underscores the remarkable achievements and commitment of the city’s leading scientists, represented by universities and institutions like SUSTech, who are advancing ocean science and promoting sustainable global ocean development.