JAMSTEC experts attended International Conferences of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Sub-commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC)

The 2nd UN Ocean Decade Regional Conference and the 11th WESTPAC International Marine Science Conference took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 22 to 25 April 2024. It was co-organised by IOC-WESTPAC and the Government of Thailand, with approximately 1,200 participants from over 40 countries.

At the opening ceremony, Dr Kentaro Ando*, Chairperson of WESTPAC, and Dr Yutaka Michida** Chairperson of IOC, took the podium together with the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and other dignitaries, and delivered welcome and opening remarks respectively.

The Conference featured 25 scientific sessions, 13 Decade Action workshops, and 12 Decade Action incubators. Experts from the Research Institute for Global Change (RIGC), the Research Institute for Value-Added-Information Generation (VAiG), and the International Affairs Section of JAMSTEC actively participated in a wide array of events, in their capacities either as convenors, presenters or discussants, contributing to discussions on diverse topics such as Kuroshio, ocean prediction, marine heatwaves, marine plastics, and Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). This Conference fostered the exchange of cutting-edge ocean scientific research and knowledge in the Western Pacific region, reviewed the progress of programmes and projects initiated under the framework of the UN Ocean Decade, sparked dialogues, and galvanised collective efforts in developing new UN Ocean Decade Actions to serve the needs of member states for sustainable development.

JAMSTEC looks forward to further enhancing international cooperation in marine science through its active participation in various IOC-WESTPAC activities.

* Director in charge of International Research in the Western Pacific Region, Research Institute for Global Change (RIGC) of JAMSTEC / Division Director of Research Promotion and Planning, Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (WPI-AIMEC), Tohoku University and JAMSTEC, WPI
** Associate Executive Director of JAMSTEC / Special Presidential Envoy for UN Ocean Decade of the University of Tokyo

Welcome remarks by Dr Kentaro Ando, IOC-WESTPAC Chairperson (©IOC-WESTPAC)

Opening remarks by Dr Yutaka Michida, IOC Chairperson (©IOC-WESTPAC)

Presentation by Dr Swadhin Behera, Director of the Application Laboratory (APL), at the Town Hall Session on the UN Ocean Decade Vision 2030