In the latter half of 2026, the global ocean community continues to race to meet the ambitious 2030 goals set out in the UN Ocean Decade. With momentum from a new set of commitments set during the Our Ocean Conference in June, leading ocean experts, funders, practitioners, and decision-makers will continue to meet throughout the end of the year to shape the future of a sustainable ocean.
Our Shared Seas (OSS) is thus returning with our “Blue Wave of Ocean Action” series to highlight the most impactful events of the year, handpicked by our team. This edition covers events from July through December, and will include a special entry for the first Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement in early 2027.
The entries in this guide are a mix of open conferences, closed-door policymaking sessions, and invite-only gatherings. We provide summary descriptions of each; for a more complete list of ocean-related events happening in 2026, visit our Events page.
2026 Guide to Key Ocean Events
This document identifies important, high-profile, and high-impact events for the second half of the year in the ocean sustainability space. Dive in to learn more about where and when key policy decisions and solutions developments will be happening.