The World Ocean Council (WOC) is beginning work with industry to develop meaningful, practical targets that can link the realities of responsible ocean business operations to the broad, aspirational Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 4th WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS), Rotterdam, 30 Nov-2 Dec 2016 – with its theme of "Ocean 2030: Sustainable Development Goals and the Ocean Business Community" – will focus on the shared future for both a healthy ocean and healthy ocean businesses.

Adopted by the U.N. in 2015, the SDGs provide 17 ambitious goals to guide global development from 2016 to 2030. One of the goals – the "Ocean SDG" – aims to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development".

The World Ocean Council (WOC) was the only ocean business organisation consistently engaged in the SDG process and produced a report for WOC Members analysing the SDG's business implications and opportunities. Ocean industries received an insider briefing on the SDGs at the 2015 WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS).