Li Jinhua – Secretary General of the UNOC3 (3rd UN-Ocean Conference) said, this coming meeting will not be just another routine gathering. It is expected to be a pivotal opportunity to accelerate action and mobilize all stakeholders across sectors and borders. He explains that UNOC3 to culminate the adoption of “Nice Ocean Action Plan”: a concise, action-oriented declaration, along with new and expanded voluntary commitments. This plan will be the collective blueprint to advance SDG 14. It is to conserve and sustainably use ocean, seas, and marine resources.
27 May 2025, at the briefing of 3rd UN-Ocean Conference, released by Li Jinhua – Secretary General of UNOC3, Jérôme Bonnafont – French Ambassador and Maritza Chan-Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations.
At the introduction, Mr. Li emphasized, the future of the ocean is not predetermined. It will be shaped by decisions and actions we are making now by choosing a healthy – resilient ocean for our generation, and the generations to come. He then explains the importance of the ocean and emphasizes that our planet’s life-support system—is in a state of emergency. The latest evidence shows an overwhelming matrix of rising temperatures, acidifying waters, plastic choking marine life, disappearing habitats, and relentless resources’ over-exploitation; with particularly marking on the evidence of ocean’s health specifically on human wellbeing. In brief, he confirms that we depend on the ocean supply lines. There is still time to change our course—if we act collectively.
Jérôme Bonnafont – French Ambassador stated, “for France: the goal of this conference in Nice; is the Nice Agreement that would be for the oceans as what the Paris Agreement was for the climate ten years ago.”
Maritza Chan-Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, then explained on what “Accelerating action means. It is about cutting decision-making time from year to month, mobilizing all actors, engaging 195 governments, more than 1,000 cities as so to more than 500 corporations and billions of citizens simultaneously. This is an opportunity for the United Nations to be together, to show that we can deliver as one.
3rd UN Ocean Conference is five days, one ocean, a unique opportunity, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica to be held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025.
The overarching theme of the Conference is: “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.
The high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Nice Ocean Action Plan is made up of a political declaration and a list of voluntary commitments from stakeholders, to be adopted following international discussions during the Conference.
UNOC3 (3rdUNOceanConference) to involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14.
The Conference will build on the previous UN Ocean Conferences, hosted by Sweden and Fiji in 2017 in New York and by Portugal and Kenya in 2022 in Lisbon.
Related link:
UN Ocean Conference: “Curtain Raiser” Briefing | United Nations
