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UNOC 2025 – THE UNITED NATIONS OCEAN CONFERENCE

Conference
AFD UNOC OCEANS ODD NICE ONU
Felix Vigneu
When
From Monday june 9 2025 to Friday june 13 2025
Where
Nice

From 9 to 13 June 2025, France will host the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, in partnership with Costa Rica. This major international summit will bring together heads of state, institutions, scientists, economic stakeholders, and civil society to accelerate action to preserve the world’s seas and oceans.

AFD Group will present its commitment through concrete projects, structuring partnerships, and innovative solutions for a sustainable blue economy. Here’s you’ll find the key moments, AFD’s contributions and the summit program, as well as useful resources to better understand ocean-related issues.

The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, will take place in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025. This edition aims to strengthen collective action toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water – currently one of the least-funded SDGs.

The summit is a pivotal moment to advance multilateral ocean processes, mobilize financing, and strengthen scientific-political synergies. It will convene heads of state and government, UN agencies, scientists, NGOs, local governments, and economic stakeholders.

The adoption of the Nice Declaration will close the UN segment. It will formalize commitments to protect oceans over the next five years. France’s key priorities include: high seas biodiversity (BBNJ agreement), sustainable fisheries, combatting plastic pollution, decarbonizing maritime transport, and financing a sustainable blue economy.

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During UNOC 2025, AFD Group will reaffirm its long-term commitment to ocean preservation and the sustainable development of coastal areas, in line with France’s diplomatic priorities. The Group will advocate for solutions built around three pillars that support an inclusive, regenerative, and resilient blue economy:

1.    Blue finance: AFD will play a leading role at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (7–8 June in Monaco), a flagship platform to mobilize resources for marine ecosystems. AFD will promote its innovative tools such as:

⦁    blue bonds issued in various regions,

⦁    the Blue Carbon Facility to finance mangrove and seagrass protection,

⦁    a collaborative effort with international partners to develop a blue taxonomy to better guide sustainable investments in ocean sectors.

2.    Marine biodiversity: AFD will highlight its scientific partnerships (notably with CNRS and the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) and support for the Blue Action Fund to finance marine protected areas. These efforts contribute to the “30x30” target (protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030) in priority areas like the Mediterranean, Pacific, and Atlantic. AFD is also backing the implementation of the BBNJ agreement, notably via the creation of pilot sites. 

3.    Coastal resilience: AFD supports coastal cities and communities in adapting to climate change. Through initiatives like the Clean Ocean Initiative, FICOL (decentralized cooperation mechanism), and investments in the French Overseas Territories, AFD promotes nature-based solutions that aim to restore coastal ecosystems (mangroves, reefs, wetlands) and create local economic opportunities (sustainable fisheries, ecotourism, port infrastructure).

Find out more about AFD’s committments:

AFD Group will participate in the summit’s official and partner events. Here are our dates:



⦁    2 June (Paris): Conference on coastal resilience with researchers and elected officials from French Overseas Territories.

⦁    3 June (Var): Coastal resilience event with the French Facility for Global Environment and IDDRI at Domaine du Rayol, focused on nature-based solutions.

⦁    3–6 June: One Ocean Science Congress in Nice, led by CNRS and Ifremer, dedicated to scientific research, marine ecosystems and the science-politics link.

⦁    7 June: Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience forum in Nice, for representatives of local authorities from all over the world, to share their experience of adapting to climate change.

⦁    7–8 June: Blue Economy and Finance Forum in Monaco, a high-level forum on blue finance bringing together public institutions, investors, philanthropists and development banks. AFD will present a joint declaration by the Blue Finance Coalition.

⦁    8 June: World Oceans Day: public events, educational activities, a nautical parade and meetings in the summit’s Green zone.

⦁    8–10 June: Islands Forum in Nice, focusing on the specific features and needs of small island states in terms of adaptation, the blue economy and regional cooperation.

⦁    9 June: Official opening of the UNOC-3 segment, with the participation of numerous heads of state and panels with leading speakers.

⦁    10 June: Mediterranean Day, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention. Discussions will focus on innovative financing solutions and marine protected areas in the Mediterranean.

⦁    11 June: France-Pacific Summit in Paris with Pacific island leaders to strengthen cooperation on climate and marine issues.

⦁    12 June: Youth Day with presentation of the simulated “Youth Declaration” by high school students and prizegiving.

⦁    13 June: Closing of UNOC with adoption of the Nice Declaration, major policy document committing stakeholders for the next five years.

Also related to the program:

Operated by AFD in the summit’s Green zone, the Archipelago Pavilion is designed to make ocean issues accessible to all, especially young people. It will feature:

  • An educational and interactive space: Awith immersive design inspired by Posidonia oceanica (a Mediterranean seagrass), showcasing marine ecosystem fragility and preservation solutions.
  • Open to all audiences: including schools, families, students, NGOs, and institutions, offering exhibitions, expert talks, and project showcases.
  • Youth-focused programming: international negotiation simulations with high school students, presentation of the “Youth Declaration”, participatory workshops, and the “Seas and Oceans” prize for the “Reinventing the World” podcast competition.
  • Artistic and cultural activities: including the “Ocean Manifesto” exhibition by 70 artists and the conference “What can art do for the oceans?” on 9 June.

Find out more

To find out more about the themes discussed at the pavilion, visit: