The Oceans Day at COP21, on Friday 4 December, will build on the recommendations and solutions put forward by the Ocean and Climate Forum, previous UNFCCC Oceans Days and the Oceans Day at Rio+20, as well as the outcome of the World Oceans Day organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Ocean and Climate Platform at UNESCO Headquarters.

It will aim to advance the climate and ocean agenda of the UNFCCC and beyond. It will, in particular, draw high-level political attention to the need for adoption of an ambitious agreement at COP21, report on the state-of-the-art of specific ocean and climate change issue areas, showcase successful efforts in policies on oceans and climate, and consider specific steps to take the climate and oceans agenda forward in the next five years, through the UNFCCC process, and outside the UNFCCC process when relevant.

The major objectives of the Oceans Day at COP21 will be to:

- Highlight the major climate and oceans issues, with emphasis on the impacts on the most vulnerable peoples and ecosystems, and suggest next steps, both within and outside the UNFCCC framework;

- Foster political leadership and move forward on the major climate and oceans solutions with the engagement of high-level leaders around the world;

- Catalyze and share solutions as part of the global portfolio of actions;

- Consider and move forward on a five-year strategic action plan on the ocean and climate to guide policy and action.

As an end result of the Oceans Day at COP21, an international working group composed of participants from the organizing and co-organizing entities of the Oceans Day will prepare a policy brief as well as a strategic action plan. The policy brief will provide information on the major ocean and climate issues, as well as on possible courses of action for their resolution and advancement. The plan will focus on priority ocean and climate issues, including mitigation, adaptation, financing, capacity development, public education, and scientific monitoring.