At this year’s Economist Impact World Ocean Expo & Summit in March, leading ocean voices came together to tackle one of the most urgent goals of the UN Ocean Decade: how to unlock greater investment in ocean science and infrastructure. Recently, the workshop report was published on the UN Ocean Decade website.

Moderated by Suzanne Johnson from the UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition, the session featured Alison Clausen from IOC-UNESCO, Alex Rogers from the National Oceanography Centre, and Torsten Thiele from the Global Ocean Trust. Together, they explored what’s needed to close the funding gap, from financial innovation to stronger connections between science, policy, and finance.

The session also marked the launch of a new Ocean Decade initiative in collaboration with the International Hydrographic Organization. The aim is to build a practical framework for calculating return on investment in ocean science, a tool to help decision-makers make long-term investment choices with more confidence and transparency.

The session report dives into three key themes shaping the future of ocean science investment:

• blue finance and innovation
• the science-society-policy interface
• and the vital role of nonprofit contributions in building financial resilience

It captures ongoing discussions on how to overcome barriers, open new funding pathways, and foster collaboration for a more sustainable ocean future.

Ocean science remains one of the least funded areas in sustainable development despite its essential role in climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and economic sustainability. This report outlines practical, actionable ways to shift that reality.

Read the full session report on the UN Ocean Decade website: How to unlock greater investment in ocean science and infrastructure.