OECD Ocean Economy Lead to Share 2050 Outlook at Oi26

Claire Jolly, Lead of the Ocean Economy programme at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), will deliver a keynote address at Oceanology International 2026 in London, outlining the priorities shaping a sustainable and resilient ocean economy.

The ocean spans approximately 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and plays a central role in environmental stability and economic activity. It supports more than 100 million jobs worldwide and contributes an estimated 3 to 4 percent of global gross domestic product, with a total value of about $2.6 trillion. According to OECD analysis, the ocean economy has expanded at an average annual rate of 2.8 percent over the past 25 years. This growth has been driven by offshore oil and gas, marine and coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, maritime transport, and port operations. From 1995 to 2020, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for roughly three quarters of global ocean economic growth.

Despite sustained expansion, significant challenges are emerging. Climate change, biodiversity decline, environmental degradation, and illicit maritime activity are placing increasing strain on marine ecosystems. Structural drivers including population growth, trade and globalization, energy transition, technological advancement, and shifting geopolitical dynamics are expected to influence both ocean health and economic performance in the decades ahead. OECD projections indicate that, without coordinated policy measures, these combined pressures could weaken productivity and potentially reverse growth trends by 2050, with digitalization gaps posing additional constraints.

In March 2025, the OECD published The Ocean Economy to 2050, introducing updated international estimates through the Ocean Economy Monitor. This framework provides harmonized statistics on ocean economy employment across time periods, sectors, and countries. The report identifies four strategic priorities for policymakers: strengthening ocean governance, accelerating technological innovation, improving marine data collection systems, and ensuring that developing countries are more effectively integrated into global value chains.

OECD Findings to Shape Discussions at Oi26

At Oi26, Claire Jolly will present the latest OECD findings and discuss how data-driven analysis can support informed decisions across government, industry, and academia.

Previewing her keynote speech at Oi26, Claire Jolly said, “I have four main messages coming out of the work that we are conducting at the OECD on the ocean economy. The first one is that the ocean economy is a growth frontier, but only if we manage it wisely. Our latest OECD data show that the ocean economy has doubled in value added in 25 years, but economic prosperity and ocean health must advance together, and strong science foundations are essential.

“Secondly, sustainability is not a constraint. We see through the evidence that we collected, that it’s the enabler of long term value. Overfishing, pollution and habitat loss are eroding the natural capital that underpin the ocean economy. Investing in marine conservation, circular economy models and low carbon technologies is essential for ensuring both economic and ecological resilience.

“The third message – one which really resonates with the Oceanology International audience – is that innovation and data are the new tides shaping ocean industries. Emerging technologies, from ocean observation systems and AI-driven monitoring to green shipping and renewable marine energy, can really transform how we use and protect ocean resources. At the OECD, we emphasise that innovation is really the key for balancing growth with stewardship, but also for making some productivity gains that are essential to sustain the ocean economy.

“And the final message is that global collaboration is really the anchor of a sustainable blue future. The ocean connects us all, and international cooperation on governance, finance and data sharing, including through OECD frameworks, is vital to unlock the full potential of a sustainable ocean economy.”

The OECD has also announced a new biennial flagship publication, The Ocean Economy at A Glance, scheduled for release in autumn 2026. The publication is intended to provide public and private sector stakeholders with current statistical insights and policy analysis.

Claire Jolly added, “Evidence on the ocean economy is essential from local to global levels, and the OECD and our team are well placed to help and advise governments as well as other actors, stakeholders to put in place the right frameworks.”

Session Details at Oceanology International 2026

Claire Jolly will speak during the plenary session titled The Role of the Ocean Enterprise in Enabling a Future Sustainable Ocean Economy at 15:20 on Tuesday, 10 March, in the Ocean Futures Theatre at ExCeL London. The session will examine the trajectory of the ocean economy and the contribution of technological innovation and ocean intelligence to sustainable Blue Economy development.

Oceanology International 2026 will take place at ExCeL London from 10 to 12 March 2026, bringing together more than 8,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors from over 80 countries. Participating sectors include offshore renewables, oil and gas, ocean observation, defense, maritime security, marine science, ports, aquaculture, and subsea industries.

The 2026 edition will also introduce COAST, a dedicated exhibition zone and conference track focused on coastal and shallow water environments.

The full conference programme spans three days of technical, strategic, policy, and Blue Economy-focused sessions across multiple stages. Registration is now open via the official event website.