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Press Release

Global philanthropy commits to sustained, inclusive, and innovative investments in ocean science


October 9, 2025

The 2025 Tokyo Statement from the Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue is a strong call from global philanthropic organizations to drive change in the scale and type of resources invested in ocean science under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’).

Click here to read the 2025 Tokyo Statement.

The 2025 Tokyo Statement is the key outcome of the Fifth Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue Meeting, held from 3 to 5 September 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. Convened by the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and co-organized with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in its role as coordinating agency of the Ocean Decade, the gathering charted the next wave of investment in science for the ocean we need.

For three days, around fifteen foundations examined how philanthropy is investing in ocean science: assessing progress and needs, exploring innovative governance approaches, and setting priorities for global ocean action. This year’s edition also shed a light on achievements made in the first half of the Ocean Decade as well as on Asia and the Pacific, highlighting the region’s deep connection to the ocean.

The 2025 Tokyo Statement builds on the findings of the previous Foundations Dialogue Meetings, including the 2022 Bouknadel Statement, the 2023 Monaco Statement, and the 2024 Rio Action Statement. Summarized in four priority action areas for the next phase of the Ocean Decade, it outlines concrete steps to strengthen funding initiatives, apply best practices, and reinforce communications and partnerships.

“Philanthropy brings unique strengths to ocean science: private foundations can commit to a long-term vision, fund high-risk research, and foster cross-sector collaboration,” said Vidar Helgesen, IOC Executive Secretary. “Through the Foundation Dialogue, the Ocean Decade is building a robust, diverse, and structured philanthropic community to help close the global finance gap and drive effective, lasting investment systems.”

Atsushi Sunami, President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, echoed this message, noting that this was the first Foundations Dialogue to be held in Asia: “I strongly believe that the discussions here will serve as a significant milestone for sustainable ocean governance and resilient ocean communities.”

In this regard, tools such as Foundation Dialogue Pledges, the Ocean Matcher to connect science and innovation needs with funders, and co-branded calls will provide sustained and long-term support for endorsed Decade Actions. The Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility will further stimulate joint initiatives and the exchange of good practices with a focus on small island nations and young ocean professionals.

Additionally, the group emphasized the role of strategic communications in restoring society-ocean connections and inspiring action across society for ocean conservation and restoration.

Looking ahead, the Statement positions the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference as a key moment to consolidate achievements and launch new initiatives. Foundations Dialogue members pledged to mobilize the philanthropic community ahead of the Conference and to track progress through the next Dialogue meeting in 2026.

Click here to read the 2025 Tokyo Statement.

For more information, please contact:
oceandecade.comms@unesco.org

About the Ocean Decade and the Foundations Dialogue:

Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyze new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.

The Foundations Dialogue of the Ocean Decade is an informal, global network of more than 25 philanthropic funding organizations working together to support the Ocean Decade vision of “the science we need for the ocean we want”. The group provides a space for dialogue that catalyzes collaborative actions amongst philanthropic funders to advance the generation and uptake of ocean knowledge to contribute to the Ocean Decade Challenges and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

About the IOC: 

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 152 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.

About the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF):
The Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) within the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) is a leading think tank that conducts ocean policy research, makes policy recommendations, and shares information to comprehensively and systematically address the ocean challenges facing Japan and the world. SPF, a Japanese foundation established in 1986, has worked since its inception to enhance international exchange and cooperation. The foundation leverages its freedom as a private foundation to explore innovative solutions and approaches for addressing a wide range of issues facing the world today in partnership with a diverse community of both domestic and international collaborators.


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Press Release

Global philanthropy commits to sustained, inclusive, and innovative investments in ocean science

The 2025 Tokyo Statement from the Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue is a strong call from global philanthropic organizations to drive change in the scale and type of resources invested in ocean science under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’).

October 9, 2025
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Notice of personnel change (board members)

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