'promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development and protection of the marine environment and the decision-making process of its Member States'.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences

Its mission is to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity building to learn more about the nature and resources of the oceans and coastal areas, and to apply this knowledge to improved management, sustainable development and protection of the marine environment and the decision making processes of its 144 Member States.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences

One of these proposals is the development of a global programme aimed at greater protection and restoration of vital ocean and coastal habitats, and of a global blue carbon market as a means of creating direct economic gain through habitat protection.

UNESCO: Blue carbon: a tool to mitigate climate change and preserve key marine and coastal ecosystems | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization