UN World Oceans Day 2024: Awaken New Depths

Hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) In Partnership and Made Possible by Oceanic Global. June 7, 2024 United Nations Headquarters

About UN WOD 2024

On 7th June 2024, the United Nations hosted its annual World Oceans Day celebration. The hybrid event was hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS), in partnership with Oceanic Global at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

We don't have time for "out of sight out of mind." If the world is numb to numbers, motivating momentum will require opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities to protect our planet’s beating heart. We need to awaken new depths within our own.

Watch the UNWOD 2024 Recap Video

UN WOD 2024 Impact at a Glance

100K

Program Views

94.5M

Reach via Social Media

3.3M

Announcement Video Views

Sylvia Earle & Xiye Bastida

Meadow Walker

Giselle World

Bailey Bass

Louis Cato

Naoko Ishii

Blue Economy Panel

Derek Blasberg

Featured Speakers

Naoko Ishii

Professor at The University of Tokyo | Director, Center for Global Commons | Former CEO and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility

Johan Rockström

Director of the Potsdam
Institute for Climate Impact
Research

Eman Mounir

Climate Journalist

Sylvia Earle

Explorer at Large, National Geographic

Karen Sack

Executive Director,  
Ocean Risk and 
Resilience Action Alliance

Rayne Sullivan

Founder, SEASTORIA

Miguel de Serpa Soares

Under-Secretary-General
for Legal Affairs and
United Nations Legal Counsel

Meadow Walker

Founder & President,
the Paul Walker Foundation

Brett Jenks

CEO, Rare

Dave Erasmus

Chair, Aqoustics

Barkha Mossaë

Regenerative Blue Economy
Manager, IUCN

Bailey Bass

Actor, Producer &
Entrepreneur

Francois Bailet

Senior Legal Officer, Division
for Ocean Affairs and the
Law of the Sea, Office of
Legal Affairs, United Nations

H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis

President of the
United Nations
General Assembly

Shyla Raghav

Chief Climate Officer,
Time Magazine

Lea d'Auriol

Executive Director & Founder,
Oceanic Global

Lomijoh

Singer, Songwriter Producer

Xiye Bastida

Executive Director,
Re-Earth Initiative

Sweta Chakraborty

CEO of North America,
We Don't Have Time

Derek Blasberg

Fashion Editor & Curator

Louis Cato

Recording Artist and Bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Watch the Full Program

Watch the Full Event

ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO

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OPENING REMARKS & PERFORMANCE

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PLANETARY BOUNDARY KEYNOTES

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SCIENCE & WISDOM FIRESIDE CHAT

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NEW DEPTHS SPOTLIGHTS

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WINNERS ANNOUNCED: PHOTO COMPETITION

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MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

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BLUE ECONOMY PANEL

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CLOSING REMARKS & PERFORMANCE

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2024 Photo Competition

The Photo Competition for UN World Oceans Day is curated by Ellen Cuylaerts and a jury composed of world-renowned individuals. 2023 Marks the 10th year of the annual photo competition, which will include a celebratory exhibition at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Photo by Michael Sswat

Above Water Seascapes, 1st Place

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Photo by Vanessa Mignon

Underwater Seascapes, 3rd Place

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Photo by Khaichuin Sim

Small Island Developing States, 1st Place

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Photo by Renee Capozzola

Awaken New Depths, 1st Place

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Photo by Sina Ritter

Awaken New Depths, 3rd Place

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Photo by Daniel Sly

Underwater Seascapes, 2nd Place

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Explore All 2024 Winning Photographs

Full Line Up & Schedule

United Nations representatives and high-level speakers opened UN World Oceans Day with remarks on the 2024 theme ‘Awaken New Depths.’ Featuring a special message about the United Nations Ocean Conference and an artistic performance by Performing Artist, Giselle World.

Lea d’Auriol

Founder & Executive Director, Oceanic Global

Miguel de Serpa Soares

Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel

H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis

President of the United Nations General Assembly

H.E. Mr. Arnoldo André-Tinoco

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Costa Rica

H.E. Mr. Hervé Berville

Secretary of State for the Sea and Biodiversity, France

Bailey Bass

Actor, Producer & Entrepreneur

Giselle World

Performing Artist

Two high-level keynotes delving into the role of the ocean within earth’s broader ecosystems, and demonstrating how humanity’s treatment of the ocean has impacted the planet’s equilibrium as a whole. The presentations challenged the notion that the ocean is limitless, underscored the tangible realities of the boundaries that have been breached, and spoke to the level of change needed to restore balance.

Johan Rockström

Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Naoko Ishii

Professor at The University of Tokyo | Director, Center for Global Commons |
Former CEO and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility

Science & Wisdom Fireside Chat: The Importance of Diverse Knowledge for Deep Understanding

Moderator: Sweta Chakraborty

CEO of North America, We Don’t Have Time

Xiye Bastida

Executive Director, Re-Earth Initiative

Sylvia Earle

Explorer at Large, National Geographic & Mission Blue

Through 5-minute spotlight presentations, this segment shares personal stories, discoveries, and innovations that touch our hearts to move us towards change.

Moderator: Derek Blasberg

Fashion Editor and Curator

Rayne Sullivan

Founder, SEASTORIA

Eman Mounir

Climate Journalist

Dave Erasmus

Chair, Aqoustics

The eleventh annual Photo Competition is coordinated in collaboration between the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), DivePhotoGuide (DPG), Oceanic Global, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and Nausicaa.

Moderator: Meadow Walker

Founder & President, the Paul Walker Foundation

Curator: Ellen Cuylaerts

Freelance Underwater, Wildlife Photographer and Curator 2024 World Oceans Day Photo Competition

Photo Competition Host: Ian Bongo-Seldrup

Managing Editor and Chief Operations Officer, Dive Photo Guide

Judge: Mohamed Rifshan Shaheem

Photographer & Dive Center Operator [Awaken New Depths]

Judge: Ian Bongo-Seldrup

Managing Editor and Chief Operations Officer, Dive Photo Guide [Small Islands Developing States]

Judge: Tom St George

Underwater Photographer [Above Water Seascapes]

Judge: Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins

Underwater Photographer [Big and Small Underwater Faces]

Judge: Julia Gugelmeier

Cave Instructor & Explorer [Underwater Seascapes]

Musical Performance by Louis Cato

Louis Cato

Recording Artist and Bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

A panel discussion on re-evaluating and financing our economic approach to the ocean, considering the increasing challenges facing our ocean and the central role that the ocean plays in sustainable development.

Moderator: Shyla Raghav

Chief Climate Officer, Time Magazine

Karen Sack

Executive Director, Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance

Barkha Mossaë

Regenerative Blue Economy Manager, IUCN

Brett Jenks

CEO, Rare

Closing remarks from the United Nations and Oceanic Global summarizing key messages and calling on continuous action to protect our blue planet. Featuring musical performance by Singer, Songwriter & Producer, Lomijoh.