Jan-Bart Calewaert trained as a bio-engineer in cellular and genetic biotechnology (University of Ghent, 2001). After working for a major agrochemical company for a short while, he returned to study, completing an additional Masters in Marine Environment Management from the Free University of Brussels and University of Antwerp (2004). Since then, Jan-Bart has been coordinating a range of multidisciplinary research projects, initiatives and science policy advisory bodies in support of marine research, sustainable management of marine and coastal environments, and related policy frameworks at national, regional and global level. For more than six years at the European Marine Board Secretariat, Jan-Bart coordinated foresight and policy activities across a range of marine issues, before establishing the Secretariat of the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) in 2013 to coordinate its activities, in support of the EC Directorate‐General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE). In 2017, Jan-Bart co-founded Seascape Belgium, leading a professional team of dedicated marine science and data specialists, securing and managing funds for multi-partner collaborative marine knowledge projects and initiatives at national, European and international level. Since the start of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Jan-Bart has been supporting its progress, among others as co-chair of the Decade’s Data Coordination Group (DCG) which has produced the first version of the Decade Data and Information Strategy released in May 2023 (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000385542). Since June 2023, Jan-Bart has taken on a new assignment as Lead Manager of the Decade Coordination Office (DCO) on Ocean Data Sharing (ODS) to establish the DCO on solid grounds, support the Decade actors on data and information sharing related challenges and opportunities and secure funding for the further growth and evolution of the DCO. He looks forward to establish the DCO and drive the development of the data sharing component of the digital ecosystem needed to support the successful implementation of the Decade’s ambitions.