
Through its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), UNESCO has launched the prototype of a web-based tool for developing country professionals to discover capacity development opportunities around the world in ocean science and management.
Accessing the Ocean CD-Hub platform, individuals can easily search for information on available capacity development opportunities, saving precious time and increasing the accessibility of many so far little known valuable opportunities (e.g., trainings, fellowships, internships, grants, etc.) offered by national, regional and global organisations from all over the world.
The Ocean CD-Hub also aims to identify synergies and potential partnerships between organizations providing capacity development opportunities to avoid duplication of efforts and mutualize resources.
“As a central repository to easily search for available CD opportunities, the Ocean CD-Hub aims to contribute to a more accessible and equitable capacity development for ocean science and management.” - Peter Pissierssens, IOC CD Coordinator.
It can also make it easier for national governments to report on progress and availability of capacity development opportunities in the context of global efforts such as the Sustainable Development Goals, and the challenges of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
Are you an Early Career Professional, Manager, Scientist, Educator, or other category of ocean stakeholder?
Discover and explore our OCEAN CD-Hub: https://OceanCD.org
For further enquiries, please contact: Peter Pissierssens (p.pissierssens@unesco.org) and Johanna Diwa (jp.diwa@unesco.org)
The third meeting of the Steering Group for the OceanTeacher Global Academy (SG-OTGA) was held from 21-23 November 2022 in Oostende, Belgium.
This hybrid meeting reviewed the activities of the 17 OTGA Regional and Specialized Training Centres. During 2022, a total of 29 online training courses were delivered by the global network with over 2200 applications received and more than 1300 learners enrolled in courses which were delivered in English, Spanish and Portuguese. In addition, 17 online training courses were hosted by the OTGA e-learning platform on behalf of partner organizations.
The SG-OTGA prepared a work plan for the 2023-24 period and elected Mr Udaya Bhaskar (RTC India) and Mr Aidy Muslim (RTC Malaysia) as Co-chairs for the next intersessional period.
More information about the meeting can be found here. The report of the meeting will be available here.

The Fourth Session of the IOC Group of Experts on Capacity Development (GE-CD) was held as a hybrid meeting on 25 November 2022.
The GE-CD discussed the progress in its work plan in line with the instructions from the 31st session of the IOC Assembly (2021), most notably the preparation of the draft IOC CD Strategy 2023-2030 which will be submitted for adoption at the 32nd session of the IOC Assembly in June 2023. The global and regional programmes and projects, and regional subsidiary bodies also reported on their activities for the implementation of the IOC CD strategy within their respective work plans. The Group also discussed the developments in the complementary approach in the joint efforts between the IOC CD Needs Assessment Survey and the Global Ocean Science Report Tracker, as well as the UN Ocean Decade.
The Group was also updated with the current status of the capacity development compendium, called the Ocean CD-Hub. Also, the Chair of the Working Group on Outreach provided updates on the potential plans in promoting the visibility of the IOC CD Strategy 2023-2030 to target stakeholders. The proposal will be submitted to the 32nd Session of the IOC Assembly in June 2023.
Among other things, the Group decided to:
The meeting was attended by more than 30 participants including members of the IOC Group of Experts on Capacity Development, invited experts, IOC staff, and members of the CD Secretariat. The 21 members of the renewed Group of Experts were also invited in the meeting as observers.
More information about the workshop can be found here. The report of the meeting can be found here.

Participants in the onsite meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Some of the 30+ participants in the online zoom meeting

The Third Session of the IOC Group of Experts on Capacity Development (GE-CD) was held online on 1-2 December 2021.
The GE-CD discussed the instructions from the 31st session of the IOC Assembly (2021) as well as their follow-up actions, and noted the revised terms of reference of the Group as decided by IOC-31. They also examined the outcomes of the second Capacity Development Needs Assessment Survey, and discussed recommendations for the next CD Needs Assessment Survey 2022-2023. The global and regional programmes and projects, and regional subsidiary bodies provided information on the implementation of the current IOC CD strategy within their respective work plans. The Group discussed the Capacity Development Chapter of the UN Ocean Decade (Decade) Implementation Plan and Decade actions related to Capacity Development. A summary of the work undertaken by the GE-CD Task Team on a review of the current IOC CD Strategy was provided, followed by agreement on the next steps to revise the Strategy.
Among other things, the Group decided to:
The meeting was attended by more than 30 participants including members of the IOC Group of Experts on Capacity Development, IOC CD national focal points, invited experts and members of the IOC Secretariat.
More information about the workshop can be found here. The report of the meeting is now available here.
The Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations (“OLA/DOALOS”), is now accepting applications for the 2022 session of the United Nations - The Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme. Additional information on the United Nations – The Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme is available on the Fellowship website https://www.un.org/oceancapacity/UNNF.
The Fellowship website includes a detailed outline of the requisite qualifications, the application package, and further details on the Fellowship Programme. Candidates must complete the application package available by using the “APPLY NOW” button (https://www.un.org/oceancapacity/content/apply-now), including by:
Filling the on-line form; and
Transmitting the required documents to the following email address: doalos@un.org (with copy to vracar@un.org)
The deadline for submitting the complete application package is 24 September 2021. Applicants should familiarize with the eligibility requirements and exclusively use the application forms made available on the website to apply for the Programme. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.