The month of June 2025 promises to be captivating with the arrival of the Third United Nations Conference on the Ocean (UNOC 3), which will take place in Nice from the 9th to the 13th. As the stakes related to ocean protection have never been more pressing, this event stands as a unique opportunity to bring the international community together around common goals. At the root of this initiative, the 2030 Agenda, with its Sustainable Development Goal No. 14, calls for concerted action to eliminate pollution, protect marine biodiversity, and ensure the sustainability of ocean resources. By gathering member states, NGOs, scientists, and private sectors, UNOC 3 seeks to assess the situation and accelerate actions to preserve our precious seas and oceans. As a famous sailor would say, “storms may frighten sailors, but by uniting our strengths, we can navigate steadily towards the future”.
Looking Back on the 2030 Agenda: A Springboard for UNOC 3
To grasp the true significance of UNOC 3, it is essential to dive into the historical context that led to this meeting. In 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, introducing 17 ambitious goals, among which is Goal No. 14 on the oceans. This goal is clear: to preserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Goal 14 breaks down into several targets, including the fight against marine pollution, the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, and the sustainable management of fisheries. These measures aim to ensure a balance between resource exploitation and their protection, a considerable challenge in a world seeking sustainability.
Previous Editions of UNOC
To understand the importance of this conference, let’s take a quick look back. The first conference took place in New York in 2017, marking the beginning of a new era for global maritime governance.
- 2017: First conference in New York.
- 2022: Second edition in Lisbon, with significant progress.
- 2025: UNOC 3 in Nice, France and Costa Rica.
Each edition has allowed for an assessment of the situation, evaluation of achievements, and proposal of innovative solutions to preserve our oceans. The voices of many countries, organizations, and civil society actors have risen to promote concrete actions, supported by solid scientific data.
The Stakes of UNOC 3
This year, more than ever, the challenges are immense. Climate change, plastic pollution, and overexploitation of marine resources are all issues that require urgent responses. During UNOC 3, several major themes will be addressed:
- Marine pollution: action on plastic waste, chemicals, etc.
- Protection of biodiversity: conservation of threatened species.
- Sustainable exploitation of resources: innovative approaches to fisheries.
These issues are not merely theoretical; they have a direct impact on ecosystems, the blue economy, and ocean health. The initiatives taken within the framework of UNOC 3 could influence international policy for years to come.
| Issues | Proposed Actions | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Marine pollution | Elimination of plastics | Restoration of marine areas |
| Biodiversity | Creation of marine protected areas | Safeguarding ecosystems |
| Sustainable resources | Responsible fisheries management | Ensuring the future of coastal communities |
These common objectives will bring together different stakeholders and allow for the consideration of solutions together, even the boldest ones. International collaboration is essential to ensure the health and sustainability of our seas, so let us arm ourselves with courage and determination.
The Actors of UNOC 3: Who Is Present?
The success of UNOC 3 relies on the involvement of a multitude of actors. Each plays a key role in the decision-making process. Indeed, the event in Nice will gather not only member states, but also non-governmental organizations, researchers, and industry representatives.
Governments and Institutions
The member states of the United Nations are of course at the heart of this conference. Each country faces its own challenges related to the oceans, whether it involves pollution, fishing, or resource management. France and Costa Rica, as host countries, have a special role, showcasing their respective maritime policies. At UNOC 3, particular attention will be paid to local initiatives and pilot actions.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
NGOs play a crucial role in raising awareness and protecting the environment. Their presence at UNOC 3 is essential to voice civil society. They bring case studies, testimonials, and recommendations for more equitable and respectful maritime governance. Among them, key players like Seasaver and OceanProtect are eagerly awaited.
Companies and the Private Sector
Do not underestimate the weight of the private sector! Many innovative companies will be present, showcasing sustainable solutions. Whether through clean technologies, more environmentally friendly fishing methods, or collaborative projects, the private sector has a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable maritime practices. Think of initiatives like BlueMarine and WaveGuard.
In total, a diversity of expertise will be gathered, making discussions rich and relevant. The debates will help define priority action areas for the coming years.
| Type of Actors | Expected Role |
|---|---|
| Member States | Formulate legal commitments |
| NGOs | Voice of civil society |
| Companies | Innovate for sustainability |
It is exciting to see how the union of forces can lead to concrete results. By intersecting approaches, innovative solutions could emerge to address current maritime challenges.
Key Themes to Be Discussed at UNOC 3
The themes discussed at UNOC 3 will not lack interest! You will see, there is plenty to fuel the debate! Several axes are on the agenda, each with crucial stakes for the future of the ocean.
Accelerating Actions for SDG 14
One of the main objectives of UNOC 3 will be to assess the implementation of commitments made at previous editions. Which actions have been effective? Which ones need to be intensified? This assessment will clarify the action leverages to prioritize.
Overcoming Funding Barriers
Funding remains a major issue. How to encourage states to allocate funds for sustainable maritime initiatives? Considering public-private partnerships or innovative financial mechanisms could be part of the discussions. This is where actors like AquaSustain could play a role.
Innovations and Technologies to Protect the Ocean
Technological advancements offer promising solutions. New technologies allow for the analysis of marine ecosystem health or improve the traceability of seafood products. Highlighting these innovations could inspire concrete action strategies.
- Use of drones to monitor coasts 🤖
- Plastic waste management systems ♻️
- Marine sensors to collect data 🐠
These are just a few examples illustrating how technology and sustainability can go hand in hand.
| Theme | Planned Actions | Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14 | Assessment of commitments | Optimize future actions |
| Funding | Partnerships | Ensure sustainable funding |
| Innovations | Presentation of technologies | Inspiration for actions |
I can’t wait to see what brilliant ideas will emerge from these passionate debates! UNOC 3 will undoubtedly be a prime platform for collaboration and innovation!
Post-UNOC 3 Perspectives: A Path Yet to Be Traced
Once UNOC 3 is over, the real work begins! The commitments made and ideas shared must translate into concrete actions. The challenge will be to maintain the momentum generated by the conference and to translate promises into tangible results.
Monitoring Commitments
It will be essential to foresee a monitoring mechanism to evaluate the implementation of commitments made during UNOC 3. How to ensure that ambitions transform into measurable actions? Performance indicators should be defined to allow for regular monitoring of the initiatives undertaken.
Citizen Involvement
Finally, involving the public and local actors will be paramount. Raising awareness among coastal communities about maritime issues and encouraging them to participate in conservation efforts is a central challenge. Education plays a key role: developing educational projects on maritime themes, like those proposed by EcoOcéan, could engage more people in the protection of the marine environment.
- School programs on oceans 🌊
- Community workshops 🚀
- Beach cleanup events 🏖️
By acting together, each at their own level, we have the potential to change things. The road will be long, but it is worth it!
| Post-UNOC 3 Actions | Objectives |
|---|---|
| Monitoring commitments | Evaluate the impact of actions taken |
| Public awareness | Mobilize communities around the oceans |
FAQ on UNOC 3
1. What is UNOC 3?
It is the Third United Nations Conference on the Ocean, held in Nice in 2025, aimed at bringing the international community together to discuss ocean protection.
2. What are the main objectives of UNOC 3?
Accelerate efforts to implement Sustainable Development Goal No. 14, fight against marine pollution, protect biodiversity, and sustainably manage marine resources.
3. Who can participate in UNOC 3?
The conference brings together member states, NGOs, researchers, and representatives from the private sector.
4. How will the results of UNOC 3 be monitored?
Monitoring mechanisms will be established to evaluate commitments made, and performance indicators will be defined.
5. What will be the involvement of citizens after UNOC 3?
Aware of the initiatives and educational efforts will be made to engage the public and encourage participation in ocean conservation actions.
