The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UN Ocean Decade) began on January 2021. For the next decade until 2030 initiatives with a particular focus on the ocean, a sector with many areas that remain largely unknown, will be pursued with a view to realizing various sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water). In this context, contribution from Japan is also expected. The Japan National Committee was officially launched on February 2021, and published "Japan's Initiaitves for UN Decade of Ocean Science."

ECOP (Early Career Ocean Professionls) is a working group formed under UN Ocean Decade. Multiple activities have been carried out to create global, regional and national ECOP networks so far. Virtual ECOP Day, which is a 24-hour livestream event and endorsed as an official program of Decade Action, was hosted by and for ECOPs from around the world on June 2021. Given the concern over insufficient ECOP resources in ocean science are increasing in Japan, networking activity to create transdisciplinary bonds and to promote the recruitment of new personnel is important. On the other hand, it is also true that the early career stages is a valuable period for young people to focus and pursue their own expertise for career development. In this symposium, multiple speakers will be invited from various fields including natural and social science, education and industry, and will discuss expectations and challenges toward strengthening ECOP network from the perspective of early-mid careers.

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