The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has taken its deep-sea expertise to the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, highlighting how ocean science can help countries protect marine biodiversity.
Taking place from 19-30 October 2026, COP17 will review global progress towards the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the 30x30 target to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas by 2030.
Science for deep-sea protection - a NOC side event
On 19 October, NOC will host the side event: Science for Deep-Sea Marine Protected Areas: Supporting 30x30 in National Waters.
Featuring NOC's Professor Daniel Jones and Professor Alex Rogers, alongside experts from science, policy and conservation, the event will explore how marine science can support efforts to protect and conserve marine biodiversity in the deep ocean.
As the global community works towards the goal of protecting 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030, scientific evidence is vital to informing effective marine protection.
Connecting biodiversity and climate action
NOC's participation at CBD COP17 will be followed by engagement at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.
Discover more about NOC at COP31
Although biodiversity and climate negotiations follow separate international processes, both depend on a better understanding of the ocean and the changes it faces.
Through its research and international engagement, NOC will help bring ocean science into discussions on marine conservation and climate action, supporting efforts to turn global commitments into effective measures to protect the ocean.
What you need to know about NOC’s side event
Science for Deep Sea Marine Protected areas supporting 30x30
Date: Monday 19 October
Time: 13:15 (local time BST + 3) / 10:15 UK Time
Speakers
- Barry Gardiner MP
- Farah Chaudry, Head of Marine Convention on Biological Diversity & International Partnerships Team, DEFRA
- Prof Daniel Jones, Strategic Lead Biodiversity, NOC
Prof Alex Rogers, Deputy Director Strategic Science Programmes and Partnerships, NOC - Adriano Quintela, Marine Spatial Planning Specialist, OceanoAzul
- Melissa Abderrahim, Ocean Programme Officer, IUCN
Where to find Professor Alex Rogers at COP CBD
Safeguarding marine biodiversity from emerging ocean pressures
Oceans Pavilion
Friday 23 October
16.00 – 17.15 local time
DSCC, Ocean and Climate Platform, IPSO, Fossil Free Ocean Initiative and Oceans North
From commitments to courts: making marine protected areas effective
Oceans Pavilion
Tuesday 27 October
14.30 – 15.45 local time
Deutsche Umwelthilfe and Ocean Vision Legal
Road to BBNJ COP1: A collaborative workshop on operationalising the Clearing House Mechanism
Oceans Pavilion
Thursday 29 October
16.00 – 17.15 local time
Ocean Agentics
Where to find Professor Daniel Jones at COP CBD
Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO)
Tatev – Subnational Group Meeting Room – Block 2, Third Floor
Monday 19 October
18:15-19:45 AMT (UTC+4)
Be part of the community helping our ocean thrive.
