The four collections exhibited at the fences of the UNESCO Headquarters between 16 October and 27 December 2024 share a common goal: to deepen our understanding of the ocean and its vital role in shaping life on Earth while inspiring actions to protect our planet's by UNESCO and ESA and built in partnership with several national and the European space Agencies, and endorsed as part of the UNDecade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), "Our Ocean from Space " highlights the cutting-edge technology of Earth observation, revealing how satellite data helps monitor and protect marine ecosystems from above.

It showcases the urgent need for responsible stewardship of the ocean, emphasizing the role of space technology in tackling global environmental challenges.

Complementing this, the OceanPredict’24 Symposium will take place at UNESCO in Paris on 18-22 November, focusing on the central role played by ocean prediction in achieving the UN Ocean Decade vision of ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’.

 In parallel, UNESCO-IOC’s partnership with Nautilus, Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy and Discover Earth bring to life "Biodiversity: Through the Lens", a photographic exhibit that transports visitors into the intricate beauty of life on and beneath the ocean’s surface.

Through stunning shots, this exhibition reveals the delicate interdependence of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

It calls attention to the critical role that biodiversity plays in maintaining the health of the planet and how safeguarding it is key to our of these exhibitions connect deeply with the theme of marine and coastal ecosystems, which serve as life-sustaining hotspots for a vast range of species highlighted in the third exhibition “Marine Coastal Treasures”.

As the human footprint expands along coastlines, these ecosystems face unprecedented pressures from climate change, habitat loss, and overuse.

These shared human and environmental struggles highlight the urgent need for action to secure a sustainable future, reminding us of our responsibility to the ocean and ourselves.

Complementing this, the Blue Nature-based Solutions Week will take place at UNESCO in Paris on 05-08 November.

Endorsed as part of the UN Ocean Decade 2021-2030, and in alignment with its vision, the event will be focusing on advancing the implementation of these , through a partnership with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and Nautilus, UNESCO brings together the exhibition “Tsunami : Sea Change for Resilience” reflecting on one of the most tragic natural disasters in recent history, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the critical importance of disaster preparedness.

Through survivors' testimonies and poignant artworks, it underscores the need for resilience and global cooperation to protect vulnerable communities from future ;Together, these exhibitions weave a narrative of interconnectedness, demonstrating that the health of our ocean, biodiversity, and communities are inseparable.

They remind us that understanding, protecting, and sustainably managing the ocean is essential for securing the well-being of future generations.

****See below for practical information:Dates: 16th October - 27th December: “Tsunami: Sea Change for Resilience” and "Biodiversity: Through the Lens".

 28th October - 27th December: “Marine Coastal Treasures” and “Our Ocean from Space”.

 Location and address: Fences of UNESCO.

7 place de Fontenoy , 75007 Paris - ;Partners and co-producers: “Biodiversity: Through the Lens" - Co-production with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy, Nautilus and Discover ;“Tsunami: Sea Change for Resilience” - Co-production with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and ;“Our Ocean from Space” - Co-produced with UNESCO and ESA,  with the support of Mercator Ocean International, the European Union through the EU4OceanObs project, and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the French Space Agency (CNES), the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC), Planetek Italia, the Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (CMCC), SHOM, Prométhée Earth Intelligence and the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO).

 “Marine Coastal Treasures” Co-production with MaCoBioS, a research project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.