GLOBAL ACTION NETWORK
Sustainable Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters
for Food Security and Nutrition
Sustainable food from the oceans and inland waters plays a significant role for food security and nutrition. This Global Action Network mobilizes actions for sustainable aquatic food systems to include aquatic foods as a key food source for achieving food security and improved nutrition in the Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2030) in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2026, the Network’s deliverables – bridging the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition and the UN Decade of Ocean Science – were endorsed as official contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Network in Action
Events
Data in support of Food Security and Nutrition – Aquatic Foods for Resilient Food Systems
Our Ocean Conference | 17 June 2026 | Mombasa, Kenya
Aquatic Foods for Resilient Food Systems
One Ocean Week | 20 April 2026 | Bergen, Norway
Taste the Ocean: Student-Led Seafood Adventures with Fiskesprell
One Ocean Week | 20 April 2026 | Bergen, Norway
Newsletters
Actions and Knowledge
Related Events
SSF Summit 2026, 4-6 September, Rome, Italy
9th World One Health Congress, 4-7 September, Lisbon, Portugal
COFI37, 7-11 September, Rome, Italy
Micronutrient Forum 7th Global Conference, 28 September – 1 October, Accra, Ghana | Online
World Food Forum, 8-16 October, Rome, Italy
CFS 54, 19-23 October, Rome, Italy
COP 17 Convention on Biological Diversity, 19–30 October, Yerevan, Armenia
UN Climate Change Conference – COP31, 9-20 November, Antalya, Türkiye
2026 UN Water Conference, 2-4 December, United Arab Emirates
Global Forum for food and Agriculture 2027, 11-15 January, Berlin, Germany
Ocean Decade Conference 2027, 7-9 April 2027, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Budstikke
We adopt the budstikke as a symbol to carry key messages related to sustainable aquatic food systems for food security and nutrition — to encourage boundary-crossing between people with different knowledge and perspectives, and to call for actions from healthy waters to healthy people, emphasizing the inclusion of aquatic foods as a key for food security and nutrition.
17th June, Our Ocean Conference 2026 Side Event
Aquatic foods must be systematically recognised and valued for their nutritional contributions
Nutrition data must be collected and used for decision-making
Aquatic food systems need stronger policy integration and investment readiness
Local innovation can turn aquatic foods into accessible nutrition
11th November, 2025: COP30 Side Event at the Nordic Pavillion
Aquatic foods are nutrient-rich, low footprint climate solution, core of a just and sustainable food system.
Fishers, aquaculture workers and traditional communities: protagonists and guardians of territorial knowledge, they must shape policy.
Cross-border and cross-sector cooperation builds resilient, low-emission and inclusive aquatic food systems.
Evidence-based, culturally adapted and accessible information and education turn aquatic foods into everyday healthy diets for all.
Reach children early, positive seafood experiences and mindset interventions in schools build lifelong healthy, sustainable habits.
27 August, 2025: IUNS-ICN2025 Scientific Symposium
Nutritionists should be more visible in food system dialogues.
Food system transformation is a smart investment and requires bundled actions by multiple actors.
Efficient regulations, innovations and shift in mindset and social norms are also crucial.
School meals should follow climate-friendly dietary guidelines and be introduced gradually accompanied by a pedagogical concept.
Safe foods from the ocean with efficient monitoring system are important.
Increase in seafood consumption can promote both human health and sustainability.
9 June, 2025: UNOC2025 Mini Conference
International and regional cooperation is essential.
Science and evidence-based policy are fundamental to sustainable ocean governance and sustainable aquatic food systems.
Capacity building and inclusion are key to long-term sustainability.
The role of aquatic foods in nutrition and food security must be recognized and strengthened.
