OHH Event

The relationship between humanity and the world’s oceans extends across millennia and reflects a profound and enduring interdependence. Oceans are central to the stability and functioning of the Earth system: they regulate the global climate, sustain essential biogeochemical cycles, contribute to oxygen production, support food systems and global mobility, and host an unparalleled reservoir of biodiversity and scientific discovery. In recognition of their foundational role in sustaining life on Earth, the stewardship of marine ecosystems has increasingly emerged as a matter of shared international responsibility and strategic importance for global governance. This commitment is clearly reflected in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) directly connected to the protection of marine and environmental systems, notably SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). A significant milestone in this evolving framework was reached in June 2023 with the adoption of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)—widely known as the High Seas Treaty—which establishes a new architecture for cooperation and governance aimed at safeguarding marine biodiversity in international waters. In parallel, the scientific community has increasingly recognized the importance of the interconnections between ocean health and human health. Marine ecosystems influence a range of environmental determinants that are relevant to public health, including the quality of coastal waters, the distribution of marine resources, the occurrence of harmful algal blooms, and the circulation of microorganisms and environmental contaminants within aquatic systems and food webs. At the same time, marine biodiversity represents a vital frontier for biomedical research, offering unique opportunities for the discovery of bioactive compounds and innovative therapeutic pathways. Addressing these complex interdependencies calls for an integrated perspective grounded in scientific evidence, prevention, and strengthened institutional cooperation. Advancing research on pollution dynamics along the “source-to-sea” continuum, improving monitoring systems, and supporting policies capable of reducing pressures on marine ecosystems represent essential components of this effort. Equally important is the promotion of collaboration among institutions operating across the domains of environmental protection, public health, and scientific research, fostering more coherent national and international governance frameworks. In this context, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (the National Institute of Health of Italy) underscores the importance of positioning human health at the center of the scientific and policy dialogue concerning the ocean–human health nexus, in line with the broader principles of One Health and Planetary Health, which emphasize the fundamental interdependence between environmental integrity and human well-being. 

Aims 

The forum will focus on the essential interconnections between ocean ecosystems and human health. Expected outcomes are aimed at: 

• advancing the recognition of the ocean–human health relationship as an emerging priority in global public health; 

• promoting the development of interoperable platforms for data sharing, environmental and health surveillance, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, and climate-related indicators; 

• strengthening preparedness and scientific understanding regarding health implications associated with changes in marine ecosystems; 

• fostering science diplomacy as a constructive instrument for international cooperation, dialogue, and collective resilience. 

The event provides a forum for discussion on the relationship between oceans and human health, bringing together contributions from a range of institutions and experts – although this is not exhaustive – and explicitly encouraging the consolidation of a growing, multidisciplinary community of practice. This constitutes the preliminary phase of a broader endeavour to engage external knowledge holders and relevant stakeholders in order to foster long‑term collaboration, inform decision‑making, and support the implementation of concrete, scalable actions.