The CSK-2 provides an international cooperative framework for participating countries, their ocean research institutions and other interested stakeholders to advance ocean science and technological innovations, leverage resources and research infrastructures, and foster partnerships that can generate the required knowledge on the Kuroshio, its changing conditions, and associated environmental, social and economic impacts.

To achieve its ambitious objectives and societal outcomes, CSK-2 will be underpinned by a number of initiatives addressing different aspects of the Kuroshio, which will be developed and carried out by a wide range of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, governmental agencies, research institutions, international organizations/programmes, NGOs, and education sectors.

The request for endorsement of CSK-2 initiatives will be via periodic calls for CSK-2 initiatives, to ensure alignment of the proposed initiative with the CSK-2 objectives and societal outcomes. The endorsement criteria for CSK-2 include:

1. Accelerate the generation of knowledge about the Kuroshio and its environmental, social and economic value, and contribute to fulfilling the UN Ocean Decade Challenges.
2. Contribute to the achievement of CSK-2 objectives: i. improved regional weather forecasts and climate predictions; ii. science-informed fisheries and aquaculture management along the Kuroshio and adjacent regions, including local bays and estuaries.
3. Endeavor to “co-design and co-deliver” the project with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the uptake of CSK-2 science and knowledge for societal needs.
4. Provide a feasible implementation plan, including a list of project implementation partners, liaise with ISG and communicate about the project progress.
5. Ensure the data and resulting knowledge are shared and deposited as per the CSK-2 data and information management plan.
6. Integrate capacity development activity as part of the project implementation for younger generation