The proposed "International (UN) decade of ocean science for sustainable development - Towards the ocean we need for the future we want" describes an initiative to develop a programme of work together with all interested parties in order to achieve major parts of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda related to the ocean.

This  document includes the following information:

• Introduction 
• Spirit and opportunity of the 2030 agenda 
• Caring for the ocean - an urgent need and duty 
• Challenges and opportunities of the ocean 
• Proposal for an ocean decade 
• Harmony with and contribution to the sustainable development goals
 • Conceptual model of decadal programme: characteristics, structure and responsibility
• Conclusions: special features and characteristics of the ocean decade