The major goals of the Global Ocean Forum are to:
- Advance the global oceans agenda, supporting an approach of sustainable development focused on healthy ecosystems, coastal peoples, and equity by:
- Promoting the implementation of international agreements related to oceans, coasts, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), especially the goals emanating from the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), and the 2012 Rio+20 Conference
- Promoting international consensus-building on unresolved oceans issues, including oceans and climate issues, and improving the governance regime for ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction;
- Anticipating new ocean issues to facilitate forward thinking policymaking and governance
- Work as a catalyst to mobilize knowledge, resources, policy analysis, and organizational action to advance the global ocean agenda and to promote integrated oceans management
- Foster an inclusive and mutually supportive global network of ocean policy leaders, and enhance the capacity of managers and decision makers to implement integrated oceans management
- Work to ensure that ocean, coasts, and SIDS issues remain high on the political agenda at global, regional, and national levels
- Mobilize public awareness on global issues related to oceans, coasts, and islands, and promote sharing and dissemination.