World Oceans Day 2026 – Message from the Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs

On this World Oceans Day, we gather under the inspiring theme “Reimagine” and recommit to the long-term vision of “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.”

This year, we are called to repair our bond with the ocean, our planet’s beating blue heart. The ocean sustains life, regulates our climate, and provides food, livelihoods, and cultural identity for billions of people. Yet, it faces unprecedented pressures from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

To reimagine our relationship with the ocean is to envision a future where marine ecosystems are resilient, thriving, and safeguarded for generations to come. Strong, well-managed marine protected areas are central to this vision. They are sanctuaries for biodiversity, nurseries for fisheries, and buffers against climate impacts.

The Institute of Marine Affairs stands committed to advancing science, policy and development that strengthen these protected spaces. Together, we can build a legacy of stewardship, where humanity and the ocean coexist in balance and respect.

Let us reimagine, repair, and renew our bond with the ocean, for in protecting it, we protect ourselves.