The OECD Ocean Economy Monitor is a programme designed to support and advise decision-makers by observing, tracking, analysing and reporting on ocean economy trends over time. It provides unique insights into the economy-, science- and innovation-related aspects of the ocean economy as well as its policy environment, complementing the work of governments and other organisations on various facets of ocean management and governance. The activities contribute to the United Nations Decade on Ocean Sciences and to other major national and international ocean agendas, such as the UN Ocean Conferences (UNOC) and the World Ocean Assessment (WOA) processes.
Ocean Economy Monitor
The OECD Ocean Economy Monitor is a programme designed to support and advise decision-makers by observing, tracking, analysing and reporting on ocean economy trends over time.
About the Ocean Economy Monitor
How it works
The Monitor develops comparable metrics across countries and industries to analyse trends, performance, and changes over time in the ocean economy to support decision-makers. The Monitor has built up unique ocean economy databases, sourced from national accounts, linked to other relevant OECD datasets and data sources, and covering more than 140 countries over 25 years. Hence, it captures the full spectrum of ocean-related economic activities and their interconnections with the broader economy, as well as laying the quantitative foundation for foresight work on the exploration of likely future pathways for ocean economy development.
The Monitor supports countries in setting up comprehensive ocean economy measurement strategies by refining current methodologies and developing new indicators. This includes collaborative research efforts aimed at the creation of international guidelines, working alongside the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Ocean Group, as well as engaging with other national and international experts, including national statistical offices, industry groups, and NGOs.
The OECD Monitor provides policy advice and expertise to support national research priorities and ocean economy innovation ecosystems, providing insights on critical areas such as the economics of ocean observation systems, ocean exploration, seabed mapping, and ecosystem-based approaches to energy transition. It also tracks current and future progress in innovative technologies, such as digital twins, subsea marine infrastructure and advanced sensors, as well as following their integration into the development and management of a sustainable ocean economy .
In line with the OECD Agenda for Transformative Science, Technology and Innovation Policies, this work builds on close cooperation with national research organisations, industry leaders, and international organisations such as UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).
Join us
The OECD’s pioneering decade-long research on the ocean economy, highlighted by its landmark report "The Ocean Economy in 2030", is supported financially by a steering board of ocean champions. The work has a robust track record of driving concrete policy advancements both within OECD member countries and beyond. Hosted within the Directorate for Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Monitor contributes to and benefits from synergies generated across the OECD, as well as from its close collaboration with other international organisations. We invite you to contact us.
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