Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) Nice 2025

ABSTRACT

The third UN Ocean Conference themed Accelerating Action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, mainly focused on driving effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 through three key priorities. They include; work towards the successful completion of ocean-related multilateral processes to raise the level of ambition for ocean protection; mobilizing funding for SDG14 and supporting the development of a sustainable blue economy and enhance and better disseminate marine science knowledge for better policymaking. Ultimately, the culmination of UNOC3 was marked with a political declaration by the Heads of State, that’s, our ocean, our future: united for urgent action; the recommendations from the international scientific committee of the one ocean science congress which preceded UNOC 3 and the Nice commitments which concluded the UNOC3, through the exceptional mobilization of all, has charted a path and an agenda for action.

MAIN DESCRIPTION

France and Costa Rica co-organized the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France between 2nd –13th June 2025. The conference drew a pool of participants from all over the world, including ocean experts, UN member States, Heads of State/IGO/INO, Ministers and Delegates. As an endorsed programme of UN Ocean Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, GEMS Ocean represented UNEP in events organized by its partners (MOi and UN Ocean DCC). More precisely, participated in a panel session on “Let’s talk about Coastal Challenges” to explore innovative monitoring solutions and collaborative actions to tackle key coastal pressures. This fostered a multi-stakeholder dialogue on the critical challenges facing coastal regions—highlighting the importance of integrated monitoring, innovative solutions, and collaborative action for achieving SDG14. The final panel focused on Coastal Solutions, highlighting best practices and scalable strategies. It emphasized the GEMS Ocean Programme's collaborative partnership approach, which brings together global, regional, and national observing systems, data providers, civil society, and knowledge holders. This approach aims to optimize resources, reduce duplication, and address the diverse needs of users. The session stressed the importance of holistic and cooperative strategies to advance sustainable and resilient coastal futures.

Elsewhere, as a representative on the Steering Committee for Africa Region, GEMS Ocean participated in the Ocean Decade Collaboration Centre (DCC) on OceanPrediction, to highlight the critical role of the OceanPrediction DCC, with key focus on community building effort through its regional teams. The event also showcased two OceanPrediction DCCs flagship projects—

Ocean Prediction and Enhancement for Regions of Africa (OPERA) and Marine Ecosystem Monitoring and Prediction in Costa Rica (OP4CR)— funded by the European Union, demonstrating concrete efforts towards strengthening ocean forecasting capacities. Additionally, GEMS Ocean participated in the Ocean Decade Forum: Ambition, Action, Impact and the Road Ahead: CO-DESIGNING SCIENCE FOR OCEAN SOLUTIONS. The first part was; from science to policy: Creating pathways for ocean action and part two was on; from global to local: Harnessing Ocean science for concrete impact. Here speakers announced the fulfilment of announcements and commitments during the Barcelona Ocean Conference including funding opportunities including Ocean Matchers-Elevating Ocean funding and impact trough smart matchmaking which is of much interest to the GEMS Ocean Programme in capacity building.