From June 9 to 13, 2025, Nice, France, will host the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-organized by France and Costa Rica. This global conference aims to accelerate global action for ocean conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14).
UNOC3 will convene heads of state, scientists, NGOs, businesses, and civil society to adopt the Nice Ocean Action Plan—a political declaration accompanied by voluntary commitments. The conference focuses on three key priorities:
- Advancing multilateral processes to enhance ocean protection.
- Mobilizing financing for SDG 14 and promoting a sustainable blue economy.
- Strengthening and disseminating marine science for informed policymaking.
The event will feature plenary sessions, Ocean Action Panels, and a vibrant public space known as La Baleine (The Whale) at the Palais des Expositions. La Baleine offers immersive exhibitions, performances, and over 200 events, all free and open to the public.
CORDAP’s Engagement at UNOC3
As a global initiative dedicated to coral reef conservation and restoration, CORDAP will actively participate in UNOC3 to highlight the critical role of corals in marine ecosystems. Our involvement includes hosting and contributing to several key events:
Green Zone (public access)
Paving the way to solve the global coral crisis
Date: Monday, June 9
Time: 14:45–15:30
Location: La Baleine, Medusa Room
Host: CORDAP
Invited Guests: International Coral Reef Society (ICRS), Blue Alliance/Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), WAVE, and Philippe Cousteau
This event will convene experts across disciplines to discuss integrated approaches for coral conservation and restoration. By leveraging complementary expertise and resources, we aim to showcase scalable solutions that can be implemented globally.
From bleaching to blooming: strategies for coral-reef recovery
Date: Tuesday, June 10
Time: 14:15–15:15
Location: Aston La Scala Hotel
Moderated by: Jonathan Birdwell (Economist Impact)
Sponsored by: Aqaba Development Corporation
This session will address the importance of collaboration between scientists, local communities, industry leaders and investors to drive coral-reef recovery and resilience.
More info here: https://events.economist.com/world-ocean-initiative-at-un-ocean-conference/agenda/
Image source: The Ocean Agency
Blue Zone (accreditation required)
Mobilizing youth for ocean and climate action: harnessing citizen science and capacity-building
Date: Tuesday, June 10
Time: 12:15–13:30
Location: Blue Zone, Room 1
Host: Peace Boat and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the United Nations
Participants: Indian Ocean Commission, Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, ORAI, PROTEUS, EarthEcho International, Blue Planet Alliance, Oceanic Global, CORDAP, Coral Vita, Reefline
This event will highlight the importance of engaging youth in ocean and climate action through citizen science and capacity-building, with a focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It will showcase initiatives that empower young leaders to influence ocean governance and the blue economy.
More info here: https://peaceboat.org/english/news/unoc3_sideevent_kiribati_youth
MENA Policy Roundtable: strengthening transboundary cooperation across the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and Mediterranean Sea
Date: Thursday, June 12
Time: 15:45–17:00
Location: Blue Zone, Room 4
Participants: Goumbook FZCO, UN High-Level Climate Champions Team, League of Arab States, La Saison Bleue, World Green Economy Organisation, CORDAP
This roundtable will discuss the development of collaborative corridors to enhance transboundary cooperation in the MENA region, focusing on shared marine conservation efforts and sustainable development.
Join us at UNOC3 to support a sustainable future for our oceans and coral reefs. Let’s drive meaningful action #ForCoral.
For more information and to register for La Baleine events, please visit the official UNOC3 website https://unocnice2025.org/en/
Cover photo: View over Nice, France. Photo by Kristoffer Trolle (CC BY 2.0).
