IDDRI at UNOC

Co-organized by the governments of France and Costa Rica, the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) will take place in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025, with the objective of “accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. It will gather key stakeholders, including governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, the scientific community, and the civil society, to identify ways to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.

UNOC3 will be preceded by three special UN events:

the One Ocean Science Congress, (June 3-6, Nice) co-organized by Jean-Pierre Gattuso, Director of Research at CNRS/Sorbonne University and Associate Researcher at IDDRI, and by Ifremer CEO François Houllier
the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (June 7-8, Monaco)
the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition meeting (June 7, Nice).

From June 2 to 13; the Green Zone, “La Baleine”, will host various events open to the public.

In light of this pivotal event, IDDRI intends to highlight and celebrate the work that has been carried out in protecting the High Seas, notably though the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, as well as advancements in sustainable blue tourism, through a series of events and expert discussions in the hope to further strengthen efforts and partnerships for effective international ocean governance.

Events & Publications

See related publications (on the high seas and blue tourism) at the bottom of this page

High Seas at UNOC

The BBNJ Agreement as a catalyst for action to achieve SDG14: Looking ahead to opportunities and challenges for effective implementation

Wednesday 11 June | 12:15pm-1:30pm | Room 5, Blue Zone, Nice

Speaker: Klaudija Cremers

Building on the momentum of ratification and entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement, this event aims to highlight how the Agreement’s effective implementation can catalyze action for the achievement of SDG14. Speakers from States, intergovernmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, will share perspectives on how the Agreement’s comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach offers new opportunities for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources, as well as on how its unique institutional and financial arrangements may enhance cooperation and mobilize innovative funding sources to achieve the objectives of the Agreement. Challenges to implementation will also be discussed with a view of identifying ways to support compliance with the Agreement.

Organized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea - Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with France, Costa Rica, IDDRI, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the University of Edinburgh.

Monitoring, control and surveillance of future high seas MPAs: opportunities and challenges

Wednesday 11 June | 3:00pm-4:00pm | IOC-CNR-OFB "Beyond Borders - Ocean Literacy & Conservation" Pavilion, Green Zone, Nice

Moderated by Sébastien Treyer | Speaker: Alexandra Oliveira Pinto

In 2023, States concluded an agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), which establishes a mechanism for creating area-based management tools (ABMTs), including marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). This mechanism was missing until now and will facilitate the implementation of the 30x30 target adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2023 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. However, implementing and enforcing high seas MPAs requires effective monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) of human activities. To this end, emerging technologies offer increasingly cost-effective and accessible methods for conducting MCS activities on the high seas. This event will discuss under what conditions these tools can be effective, what enforcement, compliance mechanisms, and measures are needed, and how they can be made accessible to developing countries, to ensure the effective implementation of the BBNJ treaty.

IDDRI-led event in partnership with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Allen Institute for AI (Ai2), Global Fishing Watch (GFW), Ocean Mind, Bloomberg Ocean Fund, and Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB).

From Commitment to Action – Supporting the Early Implementation of the BBNJ Treaty

Wednesday 11 June | 4:00pm-6:00pm | IOC-CNR-OFB "Beyond Borders - Ocean Literacy & Conservation" Pavilion, Green Zone, Nice

High Seas Alliance-led event, with IDDRI, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Tara Ocean Foundation, and the Sargasso Sea Commission as partners.

Description TBA

The Whale in the Room: Implementing MPAs in the High Seas

Thursday 12 June | 5:00pm-6:00pm | “Costa Rica blue: diving into the unknown” Pavilion, Green Zone, Nice

Speaker: Klaudija Cremers

Event led by Conservation International (CI) and Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition (CRHSC) in partnership with IDDRI and Big Ocean.

This event will explore lessons learned from implementing and managing existing large-scale MPAs with consideration for future High Seas MPAs. A panel of large-scale MPA experts and practitioners will convene to discuss the challenges and considerations of their work, from financing to monitoring to capacity building and beyond, and ask how to understand these implications to prepare for future HSMPAs.

Expert meeting on “Lessons Learnt from large-scale MPAs for Implementing MPAs in the High Seas

Friday 13 June | By invitation only

A CI/CRHSC-led event in partnership with IDDRI, Big Ocean.

As a follow-up to the panel event, a closed-door roundtable with partners will be held to continue discussions between marine protected area experts. This will be a first meeting to start a community of practice to prepare the way towards effective MPAs in the High Seas.

Blue Tourism at UNOC

Insights and Lessons Learnt from Blue Economy Initiatives

Tuesday 3 June | By invitation only

This "off-site" day will delve into the heart of concrete blue economy initiatives and nature-based solutions. The Domaine du Rayol—the jewel in the crown of the Conservatoire du Littoral and a model of sustainable tourism—will be a place of inspiration, exploration and exchange. Objective: to share inspiring practices, feed collective thinking, and bring out strong messages to be conveyed during the UNOC.

Organized by the Fonds Français pour l'Environnement Mondial (FFEM), in partnership with IDDRI, the Agence Française de Développement (AfD), and the Conservatoire du Littoral.

Coastal and ocean-based tourism – threat to coastal environment or driver of restoration and sustainable development?

Thursday 5 June | 12:45pm-1:45pm | One Ocean Science Congress - Room 4, Nice

Speakers and moderators: Céline Kauffmann, Julien Rochette, Angelo Sciacca

Blue tourism has great potential to drive sustainable development, protect marine ecosystems, and support local communities. However, poorly managed tourism, particularly overtourism and cruise tourism, can lead to pollution, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem damage. This event will bring together participants from coastal regions like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean to explore research insights and sustainable practices. The focus will be on connecting science, policy and practice to mitigate tourism’s socio-environmental impacts and balance economic growth with ecosystem preservation. Through presentations and discussions, stakeholders will share experiences and propose solutions, including tourism taxes and fees based on resource rent. The goal is to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient blue tourism sector.

Organized by IDDRI, in partnership with the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, CORDIO East Africa, and the Blue Tourism Initiative, with the support of FFEM.

Solution Hub - “Steering Tourism Towards a Sustainable Blue Future: Towards a Blue Tourism Plan”

Saturday 7 June | 4:30pm-6:00pm | Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), Monaco

Moderated by Céline Kauffmann

Tourism offers significant economic opportunities for many countries, but its environmental and social impacts are increasingly being felt negatively by local communities. Against this backdrop, the event aims to serve as a catalyst for aligning tourism agendas with the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems. It seeks to generate political momentum by bringing together stakeholders committed to enhancing sustainability efforts in the tourism sector. The event will provide a platform for sharing experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches, culminating in the launch of a declaration and an action plan: the Ocean Travel Plan (OTP).

Organized by the French government, in partnership with IDDRI, the Ocean and Climate Platform, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and Accor.

Blue Tourism: advancing sustainability and resilient ocean economies for people in the Planet

Monday 9 June | 12:15pm-1:30pm | Room 5, Blue Zone, Nice

Speaker: Sébastien Treyer (TBD)

Tourism is the largest ocean-based sector, accounting for 33% of the blue economy. In SIDS, tourism exports contribute 30-85% of the total GDP, nearly three times the global average. Coastal and maritime tourism play a vital role in generating jobs and investment. Alongside these benefits, there remain challenges such as leakages, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion. A resilient blue economy must decouple growth from environmental pressures, benefitting both people and nature. The event will explore how circular approaches and climate action can transform ocean tourism and enhance resilience, by addressing pollution, reducing emissions, and investing in the protection of carbon sinks. Ministers, policy makers and business leaders will gather to share key strategies and solutions. The discussion will contribute to advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, sustainable maritime transport and coastal community resilience leaving no one behind.

Organized by UN Tourism, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of Costa Rica, the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations, the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Mauritius, the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France and IDDRI.

Shaping Blue Tourism: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Pathways

Monday 9 June | 2:30pm-4:30pm | West End Hotel, Promenade des Anglais, Nice

Moderated by Céline Kauffmann, Julien Rochette and Angelo Sciacca

Participants from the Mediterranean, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Western Indian Ocean will reflect on and discuss solutions on SDG 14 by sharing research, local innovation, and policy solutions. By doing so, they will explore sustainable tourism approaches, cross-sector collaborations, and equitable strategies to transform coastal and marine tourism, balancing conservation with demand, amplifying local successes, and ensuring resilient practices for lasting ecosystem and community benefits.

IDDRI-led event, with CORDIO East Africa, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), FFEM, the Nairobi Convention, the Travel Foundation, Ocean & Climate Platform, IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.

Climate and Resilience – how to sustainably harness the potential of ocean-based energy to advance the health of our planet

Monday 9 June | 4:00pm-5:15pm | Splendid Hotel, Nice

Speaker: Sébastien Treyer

This "Blue Solutions: Existing innovations for protecting and sustainably managing our ocean and coasts" seminar will focus on protecting and sustainably managing our ocean and coasts. We will explore and showcase innovative solutions that are already making a difference-contributions supporting the global green transition and help to advance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14).

Organized by Business Sweden, in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy, in the presence of H.R.H The Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

Jean-Pierre Gattuso's events (IDDRI associate researcher)

Press conference on the recommendations of the One Ocean Science congress.

Thursday 5 June

For the ocean—The science behind a thriving ocean

Thursday 5 June

Special evening at the Nice Opera House

Impacts of climate change on ocean health

Saturday 7 June | 10:55am - 11:20am | INSPIRE Area

Climate change undermines ocean health through warming, acidification, and deoxygenation, disrupting ecosystems and threatening biodiversity. These changes impact food webs and reduce the ocean’s ability to support climate regulation and human well-being. I will also highlight the ocean’s potential to help mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Submission of the congress recommendations to Heads of state and government

Sunday 8 June

Other engagement opportunities at UNOC

Beyond its core themes, IDDRI will take part in a range of strategic dialogues and events throughout UNOC, supporting the strengthening of international cooperation, civil society engagement, and regional coordination for ocean sustainability.

Blue Solutions: Leveraging Existing Innovations for Conserving and Sustainably Managing Our Ocean and Coasts Using Circular Solutions and Ocean Energy

Monday 9 June | 4:00pm-5:15pm | Splendid Hotel, 50 bd Victor Hugo, 06600 Nice

Speaker: Sébastien Treyer

The event will feature two panel discussions to explore best practices, case studies, and collaboration opportunities, focusing on the potential of leveraging existing solutions for the sustainable use of the ocean. The first panel will focus on circular transformation, and the second on ocean energy. These discussions should set the framework for the topic by addressing the current state and challenges related to the overarching theme of the panel: "How to harness the potential of nature-based solutions from the ocean to advance the health of both planet and people." Following this, participants are invited to join the panellists for a 20-minute discussion focusing on nature-based solutions for energy.

Co-organized by Business Sweden and the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise.

WWF Our Living Ocean - A Nature-Positive Future for Coastal Tourism

Tuesday 10 June | 2:00pm - 3:30pm | National Museum Marc Chagall, Nice

Speaker: Sébastien Treyer

This event will showcase how coastal tourism sector leadership, solutions, and actions can contribute to achieving a nature-positive future for our ocean. The event will convene both coastal tourism sustainability leaders and those actors who can have a meaningful impact on sector-wide transformation, including thought leaders, policy makers and financial institutions. Collectively, through concerted solution-oriented action and with the right tools and resources in place, the discussion will show how it will be possible to chart a course towards a nature-positive future for the ocean.

Organizers: WWF

Mediterranean Day - Civil society segment

Tuesday 10 June | 4:00pm-6:30pm | Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen, Nice

Session moderated by Julien Rochette

24th Global Meeting of Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans

Wednesday 11 June

By invitation only

Description TBA

Organizers: TBA