2026 IDSSD Global Conference Thematic Session

Deep-Sea Chemosynthetic Ecosystems at the Climate–Biodiversity–Resource Nexus

16 July 2026 | 16:50–18:05 | Room XI, UNESCO Headquarters | Hybrid Format

【Introduction】

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 new UN Decade programmes (MOCSI and CliMetS), followed by an interactive dialogue with participants.

【Details】

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

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, 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
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, bodiversity, 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 Prof. Stéphanie DUPRÉ - Researcher, Infremer Prof. Marcel JASPARS - Chair in Chemistry, University of Aberdeen Dr. Virginie TILOT - Attaché Honoraire, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Ms. Yun SUN - Programme Specialist, IOCAFRICA-UNESCO Dr. Pierre METHOU - ATER, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Prof. Jingchun FENG - Programme Director of MOCSI Professor, Guangzhou Marine Laboratory
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

Poster:

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 webinar on 16 July, which corresponds to our session.

Register now

https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_REcbpTeeRDKr7zdpJypUTg