Our International Role

In the UK, this demand will rapidly increase for a number of reasons, including: ​

• As the UK leaves the European Union, important ocean policy areas will revert to full UK responsibility, with the opportunity to develop new evidence-based policy where appropriate.​
• As part of the ‘Global Britain’ agenda, the UK is exercising greater international influence in ocean affairs stemming from its scientific expertise and wider interests​.

The growing prominence of ocean issues in international fora is demonstrated by major agreement frameworks, e.g. UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030; UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development; Paris Climate Change Agreement; UN Regular Process for World Ocean Assessment; G7 Future of the Seas initiative (Ocean Observing); G20 interest in sustainable ocean economies; Commonwealth Blue Charter.

The NOC currently plays a vital role in delivering scientific and technical advice to underpin diverse UK interests in international ocean affairs. To achieve this, the NOC draws on a critical mass of independent, distinctive, scientific and technical expertise across a broad range of disciplines and we use these to engage with partners on the international stage.