To achieve the science we need to solve global societal challenges including sea-level rise and marine biodiversity loss, the United Nations developed the Ocean Decade initiative to promote a paradigm shift in ocean science cooperation. State and non-state actors who have asymmetric power and resources are encouraged to collaborate internationally to develop the ocean science we need for the ocean we want. Strategic narratives are important to forge international relations. However, we know less about the use of strategic narratives in forging international collaboration in ocean science. The central premise of the chapter is that states communicate strategic narratives about international collaboration in science to support their identity, view of the international order, and to devise problem statements. The narrative formation is subsequently shaped by the collaborative process. This means that strategic narratives are communicated: (1) before: to forge a shared meaning of ocean problems and solutions, (2) during: to justify the co-design of ocean science knowledge and solutions, and (3) after: to legitimize joint actions and future aspirations. A better understanding of the strategic role of communication in international scientific collaboration offers valuable insights into the building blocks to implement the United Nations Ocean Decade.