Events

The SCAR Open Science Conferences offer scientists from various disciplines and countries the opportunity to present their work, network and participate actively in SCAR’s scientific activities.

SCAR and the Norwegian Polar Institute warmly invite you to the 12th SCAR Open Science Conference, taking place in Oslo, Norway, from 8–19 August 2026.

Join colleagues from around the world for a rich and varied programme, from plenary lectures and mini-symposia to parallel sessions, panels, posters, and an inspiring social programme in and around Oslo.

From 7-9 April 2027, the Conference will bring together up to 2,000 participants for three days of dialogue, partnership, and action. Preceding the main sessions, a programme of partner-led satellite events, exhibitions, and networking opportunities on 5-6 April will create a dynamic forum for diverse engagement across all sectors taking place throughout the city of Rio.

Co-organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), and the City of Rio de Janeiro, the 2027 edition will build on the outcomes of the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain, and carry forward the ambition of the Ocean Decade. The hosting of the Conference is further testament to Brazil’s leadership in the Ocean Decade since the establishment of its National Decade Committee – the first in the world – in 2021.

Outlining the ambitions of the event, Julian Barbière, Head of Section for Marine Policy and Regional Coordination at IOC and Global Coordinator of the Ocean Decade, said: “The 2027 Ocean Decade Conference in Rio will be a defining moment. It will bring together the world’s leading ocean minds and decision-makers to evaluate our progress, renew our commitments, and accelerate action toward 2030 and beyond. Today, we gather in that same spirit – let this moment ignite a new wave of global commitment and creativity.”

The objectives of the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference are to:

• Showcase and track achievements towards the priorities of the Barcelona Statement;
• Refine Ocean Decade priorities for the remainder of the Decade through an inclusive preparatory process in 2026;
• Facilitate partnerships and discussions to shape the Ocean Decade’s post-2030 legacy;
• Inform dialogue at the 2028 United Nations Ocean Conference and contribute to the global conversation on the post-2030 Agenda for ocean sustainability.

Highlighting Brazil’s leadership, Luciana Santos, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), noted: “Brazil has been firmly committed to the actions of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, starting with Ocean Literacy. The conference reinforces this commitment. It will be an opportunity to evaluate progress, plan future actions, and strengthen the global commitment to the sustainable use of the ocean.”

For the host city, the Conference is both a global responsibility and a local opportunity. Eduardo Cavaliere, Deputy Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, said: “The 2027 Ocean Decade Conference is not simply going to be an event, it will be a platform for commitments. We want to make things concrete – we want to integrate science to our day-to-day, to put together economic development with the protection of marine life and show the role of science in defending the ocean. The Ocean Decade is about action and Rio, with its story of dialogue between science and nature, can be an example of how a city can look at the ocean, not only as a landscape but as a destiny. We want this to be the beginning of a new journey guided by science, boosted by cooperation, and inspired by the future. Rio de Janeiro is ready to host the world once again and to show that a healthy ocean is the biggest legacy that we can leave for future generations.”

The launch event also included a special session on women’s leadership and climate action ahead of COP30 in Belém. Reflecting on this theme, Janja Lula da Silva, First Lady of Brazil and Special Envoy for Women at COP30, stressed: “I met with communities of fisher women in Alagoas and Pernambuco and I was very impacted by their lives, the difficulties they face, and their resilience. They wake up at 3am, they fish in the mangrove for five to six hours – their bodies in waters which are often polluted, leading to different health issues. As the Special Envoy for Women at COP30, I really need to speak about this and about us women and fisher women, scientists, even those who are not in discussion panels or at the negotiating table, who do not participate in the way we should be in decision that will be impacting our lives. We are the ones fighting against climate change and we want to talk about the solutions that we women bring to the table. We need to be a part of these spaces.”

The event concluded with a session on “Ocean Solutions in Action: Delivering on the Ocean Decade Challenges,” featuring representatives from diverse Brazilian initiatives. Speakers highlighted how their projects are contributing to Decade priorities emerging from the 2024 Conference and discussed ways to collaborate and scale impact in the lead-up to Rio 2027.

Looking ahead, the Ocean Decade will continue mobilizing the global ocean community to strengthen partnerships, scale innovative solutions, and chart a course for the Decade’s lasting legacy – ensuring a healthier, more sustainable ocean for the years beyond 2030.

• Watch the recording of the event in English here or in Portuguese here.
• Find photos from the official launch ceremony here.
• Download the Conference media kit here.

More details about the Conference, its programme, and registration process will be shared in due course. Sign up to receive updates!

General contact:
event@oceandecade-conference.com