This year, the theme of the day is, 'Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean'.

This year's theme is especially relevant in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development which will run from 2021 to 2030.

The Decade will strengthen international cooperation to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society.

"As we enter the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), it is indeed our responsibility to seize this moment. We must seize this moment, firstly, to learn more about these depths, which often remain largely unknown to us, and still hold many secrets that only we can reveal... secondly, to give free rein to imagination and innovation, which we need in order to confront this worrying situation,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Oceans Day.

“This is why we have made innovation the theme of the celebrations of this international day. We must also seize this moment to sound the alarm, perhaps more widely than we have done so far, because no technical solution can replace a widespread, personal understanding of the threats to the oceans, their mysteries and their beauty," said Audrey Azoulay.

World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to honor, help protect, and conserve the ocean.

Also read: World Environment Day today

The concept was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada's International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) at the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 2008.
 
The International day supports the implementation of worldwide sustainable development goals, and fosters public interest in the management of the ocean and its resources.

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