IMBeR Synthesis and Future Planning Conference (Future Oceans 3)

Future Oceans 3 – Navigating a future ocean: Inward, outward, and forward

As IMBeR (Integrated Marine Biosphere Research) approaches the conclusion of its decade-long journey from 2016 to 2025, we invite you to join us at the IMBeR Synthesis and Future Planning Conference (Future Oceans 3, FO3). This pivotal event will explore three core themes: Looking Inward, Looking Outward, and Looking Forward. 

Core Themes:

• Theme 1: Looking Inward: Reflecting on IMBeR’s scientific achievements over the past decade (2016-2025).
• Theme 2: Looking Outward: Reviewing IMBeR’s interactions with relevant scientific projects, programs, organizations, and initiatives.
• Theme 3: Looking Forward: Envisioning the future of marine biosphere research post-IMBeR

Future Oceans 3 will bring together IMBeR’s diverse science teams—including Regional Programs, Working Groups, Endorsed Projects, Study Groups, national committees, and the Interdisciplinary Marine Early Career Network (IMECaN)—as well as representatives from international organizations, policymakers, and early career researchers. Participants are encouraged to present their achievements, propose new projects, and organize specialized sessions tailored to their needs.

The outcome of this meeting will help shape the future of marine biosphere research, focusing on addressing the cumulative impacts of multiple stressors on our oceans and developing scientific solutions for mitigation.

Join us in shaping the next phase of marine biosphere science for a sustainable future.

Block Agenda

The Chongming Island Field Trip on May 16 will begin at 7:30 am and is expected to return to the hotel around 6:30 pm.

Sessions

Grand Challenges Synthesis sessions:

Session 1: Understanding multi-stressors of marine environments and achievements and challenges from ecosystem resilience and environmental management

Session 2: Achievements from IMBeR Grand Challenge 2 and opportunities for IMBeR 3.0: from scenarios, predictions and projections to actions, solutions and interventions

Session 3: Blue Transformations: Governance for the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus

Theme sessions:

Session 4: Stakeholder engagement in complex ocean multilevel governance settings

Session 5: Island biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality in the Anthropocene (IMBeR and the Institute of Eco-Chongming co-organized session)

Session 6: Coastal blue carbon ecosystem: Carbon resources evaluation, sources-sinks processes and management collaboration

Session 8: Synthesizing ecosystem-social interactions in coastal seas

Session 9: Optical remote sensing in the Northwest Pacific and the Central Indo-Pacific Oceans

Session 11: International research and educational collaboration for sustainable tropical and subtropical marine ecosystems

Session 12: SIBER and the Second International Indian Ocean Expedition

Session 13: The uncertainty of coastal ecosystem shift to nutrient/pollutant inputs under climate change (Speakers by invitation)

IMBeR-partner session:

Session 7: IMBeR strategic partnership: Recognizing interfaces and building synergies with relevant projects and UN Ocean Decade Programmes

IMBeR Doctoral Forum

_{*Each session will invite an Early Career Researcher to serve as a co-convener and/or rapporteur as the program develops.}

Invited Speakers

Sorted alphabetically by surname
Speakers marked with * will present online
More speakers to be confirmed

IMECaN Event

After-Conference Event （Updated）

IMBeR Scientific Steering Committee Meeting 2025
Date & Time: Afternoon, 15 May 2025

Social Media Guidelines for Future Oceans 3

Accommodation Information

Venue and Transportation Information

Visa Information

Field Trip

Meeting Secretariat

IMBeR International Project Office
Contact us: imber@ecnu.edu.cn

International Organising Committee

Sponsors and Supporters

We are very grateful for the generous support provided by the following sponsors and supporters, with more to be confirmed:

• Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)
• National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
• Future Earth
• East China Normal University (ECNU)
• State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research (SKLEC), ECNU
• Institute of Eco-Chongming, ECNU
• School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, ECNU
• Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE)
• Ocean Decade Programme Mega-Delta
• Future Earth Coasts
• Anthropocene Coasts

*Sponsors and collaborators are welcome. Please contact the meeting secretariat.