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The Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) is a global research network dedicated to advancing coupled oceanographic and atmospheric science, a field that requires both interdisciplinary and globally distributed expertise. Since 2004, SOLAS has fostered an international interdisciplinary scientific community through coordinated science and capacity sharing activities. This paper outlines how SOLAS 3.0 (2026–2035) will build on this legacy by further prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and expanding and strengthening research at the ocean-​atmosphere interface. SOLAS 3.0 new initiatives include a mentorship program, skill enhancement workshops, increasing access to resources, and a network of observation and training centers. By learning from past successes and challenges, SOLAS 3.0 aims to inspire scientists from around the world, as well as the next generation, to address complex transdisciplinary research and tackle present and future societal challenges in a truly global way. 

Our understanding of surface ocean and lower atmosphere processes in the Indian Ocean (IO) region shows significant knowledge gaps mainly due to the paucity of observational studies. The IO basin is bordered by landmasses and an archipelago on 3 sides with more than one-quarter of the global population dwelling along these coastal regions. Therefore, interactions between dynamical and biogeochemical processes at the ocean–atmosphere interface and human activities are of particular importance here. Quantifying the impacts of changing oceanic and atmospheric processes on the marine biogeochemical cycle, atmospheric chemistry, ecosystems, and extreme events poses a great challenge. A comprehensive understanding of the links between major physical, chemical, and biogeochemical processes in this region is crucial for assessing and predicting local changes and large-scale impacts. The IO is one of the SOLAS (Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study) cross-cutting themes as summarized in its implementation strategy. This article attempts to compile new scientific results over the past decade focusing on SOLAS relevant processes within the IO. Key findings with respect to monsoon and air–sea interactions, oxygen minimum zones, ocean biogeochemistry, atmospheric composition, upper ocean ecosystem, and interactions between these components are discussed. Relevant knowledge gaps are highlighted, with a goal to assist the development of future IO research programs. Furthermore, we provided several recommendations to conduct interdisciplinary research to advance our understanding on the land–ocean–atmospheric interaction in the IO. 

Shipping is the cornerstone of international trade and thus a critical economic sector. However, ships predominantly use fossil fuels for propulsion and electricity generation, which emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and air pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. The availability of Automatic Information System (AIS) data has helped to improve the emission inventories of air pollutants from ship stacks. Recent laboratory, shipborne, satellite and modeling studies provided convincing evidence that ship-emitted air pollutants have significant impacts on atmospheric chemistry, clouds, and ocean biogeochemistry. The need to improve air quality to protect human health and to mitigate climate change has driven a series of regulations at international, national, and local levels, leading to rapid energy and technology transitions. This resulted in major changes in air emissions from shipping with implications on their environmental impacts, but observational studies remain limited. Growth in shipping in polar areas is expected to have distinct impacts on these pristine and sensitive environments. The transition to more sustainable shipping is also expected to cause further changes in fuels and technologies, and thus in air emissions. However, major uncertainties remain on how future shipping emissions may affect atmospheric composition, clouds, climate, and ocean biogeochemistry, under the rapidly changing policy (e.g., targeting decarbonization), socioeconomic, and climate contexts.