World Oceans Day Announcement – Third World Ocean Assessment (WOA III)

In the context of World Oceans Day, the Office of Legal Affairs, through its Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), has released the Third World Ocean Assessment (WOA III). The report is now available in a dynamic, user-friendly web format that enables governments, policymakers, scientists, and other stakeholders to explore key findings, insights, and data through an interactive platform: woa.un.org.

WOA III is the only comprehensive global integrated assessment of the world’s oceans, covering environmental, economic, and social dimensions. It represents the main output of the third cycle of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects.

Developed through a highly collaborative effort of interdisciplinary writing teams comprising over 650 experts, WOA III provides a robust scientific foundation for addressing ocean-related challenges. It delivers comprehensive and integrated information on the state of the marine environment to support informed decision-making and action. The assessment plays a key role in advancing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly Goal 14 (Life Below Water)—as well as the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

 Third World Ocean Assessment | Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea