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Co-hosted by The Nippon Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and IOC, the Summit represents a landmark moment for island nations and the international ocean community. Bringing together more than 300 participants, including Heads of State, ministers, and global experts from over 30 countries, the event aims to accelerate science-based solutions to the pressing ocean challenges faced by island states.
A strategic platform under the Ocean Decade
The Summit is held within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030 (‘Ocean Decade’), coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. It reflects the Decade’s mission to transform ocean science into actionable knowledge that supports sustainable development and resilience.
As the UN’s leading body for ocean science, IOC brings a unique mandate to the Summit: to ensure that scientific evidence underpins policy decisions and to foster international cooperation across its 153 Member States. This leadership is particularly critical for island nations, which are among the most vulnerable to sea level rise, ocean pollution, and climate-induced hazards.
Driving sustainable ocean planning and management
A key priority of the Summit, championed by IOC, is the promotion of Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM). This approach provides a comprehensive, science-based framework to guide countries in balancing ocean conservation with sustainable use of marine resources.
Through its recently adopted 2025-2030 strategy on SOPM, IOC is working to equip all countries with the capacity to develop integrated ocean plans. These plans encompass sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy, while strengthening climate resilience and protecting marine ecosystems.
At the Summit, IOC is helping to advance SOPM as a unifying framework for island states, supporting them in developing national strategies that are evidence-based, forward-looking, and tailored to their unique contexts.
Island nations, from atolls to larger island economies, rely on coastal and marine ecosystems for livelihoods, food security, development, and protection from increasing ocean risks. However, accelerating pressures underscore the urgent need to transform how we plan, use, and manage marine spaces to balance protection, production, and long-term prosperity. In this context, building resilient and sustainable ocean economies represents a strategic opportunity, with sustainable ocean planning and management (SOPM) serving as a critical tool to drive integrated and evidence-based decision-making.
Vidar Helgesen, IOC Executive Secretary
High-level leadership and collaboration
IOC’s leadership is further underscored by the role of its Executive Secretary, Vidar Helgesen, who serves as one of the Summit’s co-chairs alongside H.E. Surangel Whipps Jr., President of Palau, and Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation.
This high-level engagement reflects the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing ocean challenges. The Summit provides a dedicated platform for island leaders, scientists, policymakers, and partners to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and catalyse innovation.
Discussions will focus on urgent priorities for island states, including climate resilience, ocean governance, and the sustainable use of marine resources, areas where IOC’s scientific expertise and coordination role are critical.
From dialogue to action: lasting global impact
A defining feature of the Summit is its strong emphasis on actionable outcomes. It is expected to generate new commitments, partnerships, and initiatives that will support the implementation of sustainable ocean planning in island states.
Under the Ocean Decade framework, the Summit will:
- Strengthen cooperation between island governments and international partners
- Enhance capacity development and knowledge exchange
- Catalyse innovation and the uptake of ocean science
- Lay the groundwork for long-term collaboration beyond the event
The outcomes, including an Action Statement, co-chairs’ summary, and the launch of a Sustainable Ocean Planning Support Network, are intended to drive momentum beyond Tokyo. They will also inform upcoming global policy processes, including COP17 on biodiversity and COP31 on climate change.
Amplifying the voice of island states
Island nations sit on the front lines of the ocean-climate crisis. Their economies, cultures, and livelihoods are deeply intertwined with the ocean, making them both vulnerable and uniquely positioned as leaders in ocean stewardship.
Through its active involvement in the Summit, IOC is helping to ensure that the voices, needs, and knowledge of island states, including their Indigenous and local communities, are placed at the centre of global ocean governance. By bridging science and policy, IOC supports these nations in translating global commitments into tangible, locally relevant action.
A milestone for ocean governance
The Island States Ocean Summit marks a significant step forward in global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and to build a sustainable, resilient and equitable ocean economy, one of the 10 Ocean Decade Challenges.
For IOC, the Summit is both a culmination of ongoing partnerships, notably with The Nippon Foundation, and a launchpad for new initiatives that will empower island states to navigate an increasingly complex ocean future.
As the Ocean Decade progresses, the leadership and engagement of IOC in initiatives such as this Summit will remain vital to ensuring that ocean science and knowledge continue to drive solutions for the benefit of people, planet, and future generations.
READ MORE: https://www.ioc.unesco.org/en/articles/ioc-unesco-island-states-ocean-summit
