Espitia Attends 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Spain

Paola Espitia, a first-year adjunct professor of oceanography, attended the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain from April 8th -12th.

In this global conference in early April, governments, leaders, maritime professionals, philanthropists, researchers, NGO managers, science communicators and artists shared and celebrated innovative and transformative ocean science solutions while establishing new collaborations that creatively address the goals of the Ocean Decade.

Under the leadership of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 – 2030) was established to stimulate ocean science and knowledge-building to reverse the decline in ocean health and catalyze new opportunities to deliver “the science we need for the ocean we want.”

Espitia was also invited to share her experience and expertise in ocean communications during a 2-day communications symposium during the conference. 

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to play an active role in driving momentum for more impactful, collaborative ocean science during a time when we need it most,” she said.