The conference's theme was "Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity," drawing on Palau's rich tradition as an ocean society and focusing on islander perspectives and approaches to ensuring the health of our ocean.

Our Ocean 2022 focused on two cross-cutting issues: the ocean-climate nexus and the importance of a healthy ocean to small island developing states and all communities where the ocean serves as a primary source of sustenance.

As the first small island developing state to host the Our Ocean Conference, Palau highlighted the specific challenges that islands face due to the ocean-climate crisis.