Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and methane seeps are among the planet’s most extraordinary—and least explored—ecosystems. Powered by chemical energy rather than sunlight, they shape carbon cycling, influence greenhouse gas dynamics, host unique biodiversity, and contain resources of growing economic interest.
At the 2026 Global Conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), this thematic session will bring together leading international experts to explore how science, innovation, and governance can advance the sustainable stewardship of deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems. The session will feature focused synthesis presentations across climate processes, biodiversity, genetic resources, environmental impacts, emerging technologies, ocean governance, and what MOCSI and CliMetS will contribute as UNESCO-endorsed programmes, followed by an interactive dialogue with participants.
Title: Deep-sea Chemosynthetic Ecosystems at the Climate-Biodiversity-Resource Nexus: Science, Innovation, and Governance for a Sustainable Ocean Future
Date: 16 July 2026
Time: 16:50–18:05 (GMT+2)
Venue: Room XI, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
Language: English
Organizers: The Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Agenda:
|
Time |
Activities |
Speakers |
|
16:50-16:53 |
Welcome and greeting |
Prof. Peiyuan QIAN (Moderator/Chair) Chair of the Management Committee of MOCSI and CliMetS,Deputy Director,Guangzhou Marine Laboratory Chair Professor, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
|
16:53-17:05 |
Opening remarks |
Mr.Vidar HELGESEN Executive Secretary,IOC–UNESCO |
|
Ms. Xiaolin GUO Minister-Counselor of Science and Technology,the Chinese Embassy in France | ||
|
Mr.Shaofeng HU Director,Division of Science Policy and Capacity Building, Natural Sciences Sector, UNESCO | ||
|
17:05-17:10 |
Introduction (Recorded Video) |
Prof. Lisa LEVIN Co-founder, DOSI Distinguished Professor Emerita,Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego Member of the National Academy of Sciences of USA |
|
17:10-17:45 |
Synthesis presentation-7 topics · Importance of marine biogeochemistry at cold seep sites · How geophysics can inform us about submarine seeps and fluid flow · Genetic resources from deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems and future perspective · Human impact on chemosynthetic ecosystems, biodiversity, and environments · Ocean governance and conservation of seafloor biodiversity · Encouraging ECOPs to pursue research of seafloor seep environments · Two new UN Decade Programmes: MOCSI and CliMetS |
Prof. Samantha JOYE Athletic Assoc. Professor of Arts & Sciences/Regents' Professor,University of Georgia
Dr. Stéphanie DUPRÉ Researcher, Infremer
Prof. Marcel JASPARS Chair in Chemistry,University of Aberdeen Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry of the United Kingdom
Dr. Virginie TILOT AttachéHonoraire,Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Full Member of the Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences of Belgium
Ms. Yun SUN Programme Specialist, IOCAFRICA-UNESCO
Dr. Pierre METHOU ATER, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle
Prof. Jingchun FENG Professor,Guangzhou Marine Laboratory Programme Director of MOCSI
|
|
17:45-18:00 |
Interactive discussions/Q&A |
|
|
18:00-18:05 |
Closing |
Ms.Alison CLAUSEN Programme Specialist, Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section,IOC–UNESCO |
We warmly welcome in-person attendance for those joining the IDSSD Global Conference at UNESCO Headquarters. The session will also be held in hybrid format, enabling global participation online.
To attend virtually, please register through the QR code/link provided by the Science Decade Secretariat. The time shown on the registration page will automatically adjust to your local time zone. When registering, please select the final time slot on 16 July, which corresponds to our session.
https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_REcbpTeeRDKr7zdpJypUTg
Attachment download:
