COAST Launched at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference
On June 7, 2025, the special meeting namely "Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit" of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference was convened in Nice, France, bringing together mayors and administrators of over 200 major coastal cities worldwide to discuss the pathways for sustainable development of coastal cities in the context of climate change. During the meeting, the Coastal city Ocean bAsed Solution Toolkit for sustainable development (COAST), a global comprehensive toolkit for ocean governance developed by FIO in collaboration with international partners based on China's original scientific and technological innovations was officially launched.
Based on Series of Original Scientific Outcomes, Develop a Comprehensive Toolkit for Ocean Governance
The oceans, as the source of life, have long been an inexhaustible impetus for the sustainable development of human society. Currently, ocean heat accumulation induced by climate change, human-caused ecological degradation, overexploitation of marine resources, and increasingly severe marine extreme events are now critically undermining the sustainability of oceans and humanity. The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (hereinafter referred to as the "Ocean Decade") highlights the urgency of global ocean governance. The initiative shifts ocean science from pure research to delivering science-based solutions, making the development of science-based governance toolkits a top priority.
In this context, the COAST, jointly developed by UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Center on Ocean-Climate Nexus and Coordination amongst Decade Implementing Partners in P.R. China (DCC-OCC) and the UN Ocean Decade Ocean to climate Seamless Forecasting system (OSF) Programme in collaboration with international partners was officially launched. The COAST adopts a co-design, co-develop and co-benefit approach. Freely accessible, it delivers science-to-policy solutions for coastal resilience, offering cost-effective decision-support across six core modules and 24 sub-modules, covering key areas such as ocean & climate early warning, maritime safety, coastal ecosystem health, integrated coastal zone management, blue economy support, and ocean literacy enhancement. By integrating ocean big data, advanced modeling, AI, and capacity building, the COAST delivers holistic decision-support tools for sustainable coastal urban development. Its application and promotion will provide scientific support for the building of the Maritime Silk Road and a strong maritime country.
Deeply engaged in the Ocean Decade, Set a Bridge Between Science and Governance
To implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), the UN launched the landmark "Ocean Decade" initiative. As the largest and most influential global marine science initiative, the Ocean Decade is committed to advancing transformative ocean science solutions to shift from "the ocean we have" to "the ocean we want." Unlike previous marine science collaborations that primarily focused on ocean science itself, the Ocean Decade places greater emphasis on delivering actionable solutions, aligning with policy, fostering interdisciplinary integration and societal participation, and injecting new momentum into global marine sustainability.
Chinese research teams have taken on significant responsibilities, engaging deeply in the Ocean Decade from its preparatory stages and addressing global demands through scientific innovation. At the strategic planning level, Chinese experts have been selected for core decision-making bodies such as the Executive Planning Group (EPG) and the Decade Advisory Board (DAB). In terms of platform development, DCC-OCC, proposed by FIO in collaboration with domestic and international experts, stands as Asia's only global collaborative center. It coordinates international mega-science programs in ocean and climate fields, creating globally influential public product platforms and significantly enhancing China's participation in global ocean governance. In terms of scientific research, Chinese teams lead the implementation of international mega-science programs such as the Ocean to Climate Seamless Forecasting System (OSF) programme, bringing together scientific forces from over 50 countries to drive global ocean governance capabilities through original innovation.
The COAST represents the collective wisdom of Chinese researchers' deep involvement in the Ocean Decade. The Qingdao Declaration, released at the inaugural Ocean Decade Coastal Cities Conference jointly hosted by UNESCO/IOC and Qingdao city in 2025, explicitly highlighted the global need for scientific governance toolkits to address climate change and enhance coastal resilience. Against this backdrop, the COAST emerged as a comprehensive and precise contribution from China to the international community, serving as a bridge connecting marine scientific research with integrated governance practices.
Launch Science-based Ocean Governance Solutions at the UN Ocean Conference
As global climate change and marine ecological crises intensify, the international community has come to recognize that the health and sustainable use of the ocean are critical to achieving sustainable development. However, the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14) still faces significant challenges, demanding urgent global cooperation. Against this backdrop, the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, held under the theme "Accelerating Action, and Mobilizing All Actors to Conserve and Sustainably Use the Ocean," brought together 15,000 participants from around the world in Nice, France, to discuss global ocean governance strategies. In addition to plenary sessions, the conference featured three special sessions, 130 side events, and numerous off-site activities.
On June 7, one of the conference's key special sessions—the "Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit"—was convened, where nations gathered under the UN framework to address the pressing issue of rising sea levels. A highlight of the summit was the global launch of the COAST, a cutting-edge marine governance solution developed by FIO in collaboration with international research teams. Dr. QIAO Fangli, Deputy Director General of FIO, delivered a keynote presentation on the toolkit's capabilities. The COAST stands out for its scientific rigor and practical applicability, offering decision-makers tools to assess risks, optimize planning, and enhance coastal resilience. The COAST garnered strong interest from participating nations, with many expressing eagerness to adopt it for their own coastal management strategies. Following its successful debut, a dedicated side event was held on June 10 in the conference's Blue Zone, further exploring its applications and potential collaborations.
Deputy Director General QIAO Fangli attended the Special Event of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference and delivered remarks
The launch of the COAST demonstrates the active participation of China's scientists in global ocean governance and the commitment to promoting the building of a maritime community with a shared future. In the future, FIO's research teams will continue to work with the global community to upgrade the COAST and promote its wide application and contribute more wisdom to the sustainable development of oceans.