Through ESCAP resolution 76/1 of 2020 on “Strengthening cooperation to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific,” member States requested ESCAP “to continue to strengthen current partnerships and to develop new partnerships, where appropriate, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources, including through participatory, multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms.” Furthermore, in 2023, ESCAP member States adopted Resolution 79/2 to accelerate ocean-based action to combat climate change including through capacity building, innovation, and technology development and transfer.
In line with these mandates, the ESCAP secretariat, in collaboration with relevant UN agencies, funds and programmes and key partners in the region, will host the Asia-Pacific Ocean Week 2026, at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, to continue to support member States, through systematic and inclusive dialogue on priority areas and challenges in our region. This event builds upon longstanding processes and partnerships developed through multiple iterations of the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean since 2018, replacing the single-day modality.