About
Mission and History
World Ocean Day catalyzes collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate, working in collaboration with youth leaders and a wide range of organizations. World Ocean Day belongs to all groups and individuals, collectively, everywhere. It’s about how we can create a better future with an abundant ocean and a stable climate, by working together.
1992
Canada proposes the concept of a "World Ocean Day" at the Earth Summit in Rio.
2002
The Ocean Project begins global promotion and coordination of World Ocean Day in collaboration with global partners.
2003
WorldOceanDay.org website launched to support event organizers worldwide; 25 events held in 15 countries. Aquariums, zoos, museums, and youth-focused organizations constitute the main event organizers. Multi-year campaign launches to engage all sectors and promote opportunities for action around World Ocean Day.
2008
After a four-year onsite and online petition drive, in December 2008 the United Nations General Assembly officially recognizes 8 June as World Oceans Day (and adds the 's').
2016
World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council launched. Multi-year Conservation Action Focus launched on preventing plastic pollution and advancing solutions.
2019
2000+ events in 140+ countries. #TogetherWeCan social media campaign engaged 87m. Together with Youth Council, major effort launched to connect, activate, and mobilize the World Ocean Day network all 365 days of the year.
2020
New website and logo launched. New multi-year Conservation Action Focus launched: protecting 30% of our lands and ocean by 2030, in partnership with Campaign for Nature. 454 million reached on social media in June; first ever 24-hour Youth-a-thon for the ocean.
2021
We dropped "S" so it is World Ocean Day (once again), with one world ocean that connects us all!
Over 1,000 online and onsite events in 140 countries. More than 1,100 organizations in 84 countries sign the global petition to world leaders to protect 30% of our lands and ocean by 2030. Youth-a-thon 2021 driven by Youth Advisory Council. 650m social media impressions.
[photo by Cécile Gaspar]
2022
10,000+ organizations and businesses coordinated 15,000+ events in 140+ countries. Over the course of three years, a total of 70,000+ individuals signed a petition in support of #30x30
2023
After three years of mobilizing to protect at least 30% of our lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 (30x30), the collective efforts of the World Ocean Day network and youth leaders, and working with national and global partners, resulted in two major 30x30 victories: adoption of the High Seas Treaty and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
2024
Get ready for a great World Ocean Day 2024! With your involvement we can achieve a lot together, for our blue planet and society. World Ocean Day 2024 will be bigger and more impactful than ever, with tens of thousands of events and millions engaged online. Start your planning now!