This coming June 8th is World Oceans Day, the United Nations once again will be celebrating the role of the oceans play in our everyday life. As part of this celebration, the United Nations is once again holding the World Oceans Day Photo Competition for 2020.
Open to all photographers (professional and amateur) from around the world, the goal of this photo competition is to inspire through the creation of imagery capturing the beauty, the challenges and the importance of the ocean.
Photography engages people from around the world across diverse cultures, geographies and generations. A powerful image can change people’s behaviors and encourage them to be active participants to promote change rather than merely bystanders.
“Our past encounters with marine life are now more cherished than ever before. So many of us around the world are longing to be in the water again and enjoying the beauty of our seas. Today we need to be reminded of how vital a resource the ocean is and how urgently we need to protect it for present and future generations. This photo competition not only showcases stunning photography but also reveals the emotional stories behind the images from people who are dedicated ocean ambassadors.” – Ellen Cuylaerts, Curator for the UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition
For the 7th time, Dive Photo Guide (DPG) is once again hosting this year’s competition. The organization has been involved since the contest’s inception in 2014.
All entries (can be made online here) must be submitted electronically in accordance with the contest guidelines and subject to the contest rules. Deadline for submission is 12:00am Eastern Standard Time on May 3, 2020.
This year the competition has ten thematic categories for submissions including four new ones which include Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean, Rejuvenation, Digital Ocean Photo Art and Science in Action: Ocean Decade 2021- 2030. There is also a youth category for photographers under 18 years of age. All participants are obliged to agree to a charter ensuring that they are committed to a code of ethics as it relates to the competition, and conservation rules will be strictly observed as flora and fauna should never be stressed or endangered for the sake of a photo. Participants must also commit to bringing education and awareness around their experiences to help preserve the oceans.
Winning images will be recognized at the United Nations World Oceans Day 2020 virtual global conference on Monday, June 8th produced in partnership with Oceanic Global.
The winners photos will also be published on the official UN World Oceans Day website www.unworldoceansday.org as well as on social media including the UN World Oceans Day Instagram@unworldoceansday.
Countries globally have celebrated World Oceans Day since 1992, following the UN Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro. In 2008, the UN General Assembly decided that June 8th would be officially designated by the UN as “World Oceans Day”. This day gives communities around the world the opportunity to raise global awareness on how critical it is to keep our oceans healthy and use its resources sustainably. UN World Oceans Day 2020 will focus on innovations for a sustainable ocean across categories including technology, systems infrastructure, resource management, consumer products, and scientific exploration.
For more information on the photo competition as well as all activities and events celebrating World Oceans Day 2020, go to www.unworldoceansday.org.
Media Contact:
Francois Bailet – email: bailet@un.org
Ellen Cuylaerts – email: ellen.cuylaerts@me.com
