IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)
Advancing knowledge and cooperation for a healthy ocean and prosperous society
“From Knowledge to Action: Connecting Science, Policy, and Society for a Resilient Western Pacific”
Manila, the Philippines, 20–23 April 2027
First Announcement
Call for Proposals for Scientific Sessions,
Decade Action Incubators & Decade Action Workshops
The Government of the Philippines and the UNESCO/IOC[1] Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), together with a wide range of international and national partners, are pleased to announce that the 12th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference & the 3rd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference will be held in Manila, the Philippines, on 20–23 April 2027.
We cordially invite interested Member States, government agencies, institutions, and stakeholders to develop and submit proposals for Scientific Sessions, Decade Action Incubators, and Decade Action Workshops. Please refer to the detailed guidelines below.
Background
Covering 70% of our planet, the ocean is central to human well-being, as it sustains life, connects communities, and supports global development.
The ocean, seas, and coasts of the Western Pacific hold exceptional ecological, social, and economic value. As one of the Earth’s major heat engines, the region influences global climate and ocean circulation. It also harbors the world’s highest abundance and diversity of marine life, sustaining livelihoods, food security, and economic growth across the region and far beyond.
For the hundreds of millions who rely on the ocean for food, jobs, safety, and prosperity, a healthy and resilient Western Pacific is not optional – it is essential. Safeguarding our ocean health and securing a sustainable future requires lasting, collaborative, science-based, and innovative actions.
Since its inception, the UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) has convened a triennial International Scientific Symposium[2] to advance ocean science, foster multi- and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and generate ocean knowledge for informed policy and management. Since 1986, a total of eleven International Scientific Symposia (now known as the International Marine Science Conference) have been organized, hosted on a rotational basis by Member States in the region.
To support the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), the Sub-Commission convened the UN Ocean Decade Regional Kick-off Conference for the Western Pacific and its adjacent areas (online, 25–26 November 2021) and the 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference, held in conjunction with the 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference (22–25 April 2024, Bangkok, Thailand), generously hosted by the Government of Thailand through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and its Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
Conference Objectives
The Conference seeks to bring together a wide range of ocean stakeholders, including governments, research communities and academia, the private and business sector, philanthropic foundations, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society to:
- Present the latest developments in ocean science, knowledge, and innovations;
- Showcase and track achievements of UN Ocean Decade Actions in the region;
- Catalyze partnerships and concrete actions for transformative science-based solutions to sustainability challenges in the Western Pacific.
| Category | Purpose | Submission Deadline | Online Form | |
| 1 | Scientific Sessions | To present the latest developments in ocean science and knowledge, and deepen understanding of the region’s ocean ecosystems and the impacts of climate and human activities. Each session will feature oral and poster presentations. | 31 May 2026 | Click here |
| 2 | Decade Action Incubators | Designed for potential Decade programmes or projects to catalyze partnerships and initiate development. | 15 August 2026 | Click here |
| 3 | Decade Action Workshops | Designed for already registered and endorsed UN Ocean Decade Actions, particularly those focused on the region, to review progress, strengthen partnerships, and discuss plans of action for the next phase. | 15 August 2026 | Click here |
[1] Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
[2] Renamed the WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference in 2014 to reflect the significant growth in participation
Call for Proposals: Scientific Sessions
Deadline for submission: 31 May 2026
We invite interested government agencies, institutions, and stakeholder groups to propose Scientific Sessions to be held during the Conference. Proposed Scientific Sessions should address the following priority issues of Member States in the region:
- Ocean processes and climate change;
- Marine biodiversity conservation, seafood security, and blue economy;
- Ocean and human health;
- Marine disaster risk reduction and mitigation;
- Knowledge for emerging ocean issues, and cross-cutting themes such as ocean literacy and capacity development
Scientific Sessions provide a platform to present, share, and exchange the latest scientific knowledge, identify knowledge gaps, and, where feasible, explore transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable ocean and livelihoods in the region. Normally each session consists of oral and poster presentations.
Responsibilities of Scientific Session Convener(s):
If the proposal is accepted, the Convener(s) of each Scientific Session will be responsible for:
- Session organization and delivery: Plan, coordinate, and oversee the execution of the session in close consultation with the Conference Secretariat;
- Session promotion: Encourage broad participation and identify potential co-sponsors with similar interest to support the session;
- Abstract review: Review submitted abstracts for relevance and quality, edit accepted abstracts as needed;
- Selection of presentations: Assign oral and poster presentations, identify backup oral presentations from accepted posters, and develop the session programme;
- Communication: Liaise with authors for clarification or confirmation of participation;
- Session reporting: Prepare a brief report summarizing key outcomes and recommendations after the session.
Contact:
For any inquiries, please email iocwestpac@unesco.org and iocwestpac2027@gmail.com, with a subject line of “Scientific Session proposal inquiry”.
Call for proposals: Decade Action Incubators
Deadline for submission: 15 August 2026
We invite interested government agencies, institutions, and stakeholder groups to submit proposals for Decade Action Incubators to be convened during the Conference.
The Decade Action Incubator serves as an interactive forum to catalyze partnerships, strengthen dialogue between ocean knowledge generators and knowledge users, initiate co-designing processes, facilitate the development of potential Decade programmes[1] or Decade projects[2]. Proposals are encouraged to consider cross-cutting topics including capacity development and supporting Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). Each Incubator will run for a maximum of three hours.
The proposed Decade Action Incubator shall address one or more of the ten UN Ocean Decade Challenges as follows[3]: 1) Understand and beat marine pollution, 2) Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity, 3) Sustainably nourish the global population, 4) Develop a sustainable, resilient and equitable ocean economy, 5) Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change, 6) Increase community resilience to ocean and coastal risks, 7) Sustainably expand the Global Ocean Observing System, 8) Create a digital representation of the ocean, 9) Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all, and 10) Restore society’s relationship with the ocean.
Selection criteria for Decade Action Incubator
Each proposal will be evaluated on both the quality of the Incubator session and the potential of the proposed Decade Action.
The basic criteria for selection include the following:
- Alignment with the vision and mission of the UN Ocean Decade, and contribution to the identified outcomes and challenges of the UN Ocean Decade;
- Generation of transformative ocean science in comparison to what has been done before;
- Promotion of multidisciplinary, solution-oriented approach;
- Engagement of broad stakeholders, and promotion of their interactions and actions;
- Consideration given to gender balance and geographic representation in the choice of speakers and panelists.
Responsibilities of the Incubator Convener(s)
The Incubator Convener(s) will be responsible for the following:
- Identifying co-conveners, speakers and panelists;
- Inviting participants from Member States, key groups and other relevant stakeholders;
- Developing and submitting the draft programme to the Conference Secretariat before the deadline of 10 January 2027;
- Working closely with the Conference Secretariat on logistical arrangements, including room allocation and audiovisual setup for the execution of the Incubator;
- Preparing a brief report summarizing key outcomes and recommendations after the Incubator.
Contact:
For any inquiries, please email iocwestpac@unesco.org, and iocwestpac2027@gmail.com, with a subject line of “Decade Action Incubator inquiry”.
[1]A Decade programme is typically global or regional in scale and will contribute to the achievement of one or more of the Ocean Decade Challenges. It is long-term (multi-year), interdisciplinary and will consist of component projects, and potentially enabling activities. More information is available at https://oceandecade.org/decade-actions/
[2]A Decade project is a discrete and focused undertaking. It may be regional, national or sub-national and it will typically contribute to an identified Decade programmed. More information is available at https://oceandecade.org/decade-actions/
[3]More information about the 10 UN Ocean Decade Challenges is available at: https://oceandecade.org/challenges/
Call for proposals: Decade Action Workshops
Deadline for submission: 15 August 2026
We invite interested government agencies, institutions, and stakeholder groups to submit proposals for Decade Action Workshops to be held during the Conference.
The Decade Action Workshops will allow those already registered or endorsed UN Ocean Decade Actions (Decade Programmes and Decade Projects), particularly those focused on the region, to bring together Action partners, review their development progress, catalyze new partnerships, and discuss plans of action over the next phase.
Responsibilities of Decade Action Workshop Convener(s):
The convener of the Workshop will be responsible for the following:
- Inviting the partners of Decade Action to participate in the workshop;
- Identifying and inviting participants from Member States, and relevant stakeholder groups;
- Developing and submitting the draft workshop programme to the Conference Secretariat before the deadline of 10 January 2027;
- Promoting and encouraging engagement in the workshop;
- Working closely with the Conference Secretariat on logistical arrangements, including room allocation and audiovisual setup for the execution of the workshop;
- Preparing a brief report summarizing key outcomes and recommendations after the workshop.
Contact:
For any inquiries, please email iocwestpac@unesco.org, and iocwestpac2027@gmail.com, with a subject line of “Decade Action Workshop inquiry”.
Important Dates
| 31 May 2026 | Deadline for Scientific Session proposal submission |
| 15 June 2026 | Opening date for:
|
| 15 August 2026 | Deadline for Decade Action Incubators & Decade Action Workshops proposal submission |
| 15 November 2026 | Deadline for:
|
| 15 December 2026 | Notification of scientific session abstract acceptance and ECOP Travel Grant results |
Conference Secretariat Contact
IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC):
IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)
Decade Coordination Office for the Western Pacific and Adjacent Areas
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
Email: iocwestpac@unesco.org
Host country secretariat contact:
UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines
Email: unacom@dfa.gov.ph; iocwestpac2027@gmail.com