The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), at first, may resemble other global negotiations, gatherings and events. In a similar fashion, thousands of people from around the world gather to focus on one topic. The difference with UNOC3 in Nice, France from 9-13 June 2025 was that the topic was the Ocean: the vast beautiful Ocean that has yet to be fully understood or discovered and holds meaning and value to so many around the world. The Ocean is a source of peace, livelihood, adventure, and home that holds court among global legends, poetry and literature. As we lean into this next voyage that set sail during UNOC3, dipping our collective oars to push towards a more sustainable future through ocean governance, we hope to realise the truth of wise reflections from William Wordsworth: “The Ocean is a mighty harmonist.” Perhaps it is possible that the Ocean can unify the collective, skillfully connecting and framing our various interests and concerns so that we can remember that we are the wave. MedWaves joins the collective, bringing regional experience and celebrating successes as a way to continue to map the path ahead.  

Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash

Perhaps the first important aspect to unpack when understanding UNOC3 is that it is indeed the third of the UN Ocean Conferences. The inaugural UNOC took place in New York at UN Headquarters in 2017. As the first of its kind, the Conference successfully raised conservation levels and the sustainable use of the Ocean, seas, and marine resources, including reversing the decline in ocean health. After pausing for the global COVID-19 pandemic, UNOC2 travelled to Lisbon, Portugal in 2022, focusing on strengthening ocean action based on science and innovation, especially in light of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).These two conferences were historic, monumental, and began critical conversations that continue to require additional focus and energy and of course, resources.  

UNOC 3 was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, from 9-13 June under the theme of “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the Ocean”. In line with the tradition of past UNOCs, World Oceans Day kicked off the activities under the theme: Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us. This powerful theme prompts us to embrace our imagination and to consider the depth of Ocean power. As UNOC3 addressed the responsibilities of facing how to care for the Ocean, this nuance set the prerequisite as an invitation to surrender to the sensation of awe, inviting new pathways guided by wonder to navigate challenges.  

UNOC3 set another important signal: a call to consider all solutions within all solutions. This means that the more we are able to link goals, the more our strategies are linked to reach these goals. The more linked our strategies are, the more it becomes possible to connect budgets, resources and energy. The Ocean is much like veins in the arm; unique in function for the whole yet completely impossible to separate. The policies set for the Ocean are interlinked to those for biodiversity, climate, trade, and agriculture. Similarly, the investments made to protect and support a healthy Ocean will benefit climate goals and deliver benefits to communities, ecosystems, and economies. At least, that is the plan! 

For these reasons, several parallel discussions and meetings took place during UNOC3, such as: 

• 4-6 June 25: One Ocean Science Congress (Nice) with over 2,000 international scientists.  

• 7 June 2025: Ocean Rise & Resilience Coalition (Nice) focused on stepping up collaboration and access to knowledge and finance for adaptation to ocean and climate change. 

• 7-8 June 2025: Blue Economy and Finance Forum (Monaco) brought together Heads of State and Government, business, finance and civil society to invest significantly in the blue economy and sustainable shipping, and to propose innovative blue financing tools. 

MedWaves engagement 

As a regional activity centre supporting transformation through the promotion of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) activities, MedWaves has a vested interest in the negotiations and dialogues around UNOC3. Serving both the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), positions the centre in a way that allows us to bring insights from regional activities that are relevant to the global agendas for sustainable development.  

6 June: “Mediterranean in Action: Engaging Communities and Advancing Solutions to Tackle Pollution under the Mission Ocean and Waters”  

This side event featured the EU Mission’s aim to eliminate pollution, regenerate marine and freshwater ecosystems, and make the blue economy carbon neutral and circular. Through “Lighthouses” or hubs, activities were presented that demonstrate and scale up solutions that contribute to achieving the vision. The Mediterranean Lighthouse is coordinated by BlueMissionMed, working to mobilise governments, researchers, businesses, and citizens across the region to co-develop and implement transformative solutions. Specifically important in the region is the emphasis on reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, and empowering communities, creating real momentum for a healthier, more resilient sea basin. SEACURE, an initiative funded through the Horizon Europe Programme with 25 partners from all over Europe, was introduced within this context. MedWaves supports the project by leading the Work Package related to dissemination, communication, exploitation and IPR management.  

Anna Rovira (BETA Center) presented SEACURE and its upcoming Open Call

10 June: 50 years of UNEP/MAP 

MedWaves attended the celebration of 50 years of UNEP/MAP and 30 years of the Barcelona Convention. This high-level event opened with Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of UNEP, and Tatjana Hema, UNEP/MAP Coordinator. The focus was to come together to celebrate the experience of collaboration in the region that has grown as a result of the Barcelona Convention. Exchanging success stories among the Contracting Parties is a way to build momentum to continue forward and face future challenges. The topics ranged from addressing pollution, monitoring and cross border, subregional and regional initiatives.  

“My deep thanks to UNEP/MAP and its Parties for this incredible work. You have served, and continue to serve, as a shining example of the coordinated, cross-border action needed to tackle the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change; the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. And yet, despite your good work, this crisis is intensifying. Recent research tells us that the Mediterranean is the second-fastest-warming region in the world. The sea most polluted by plastics and the sea most-overexploited by fishing. Such pressures are being exacerbated by growth in populations, coastal towns and cities, tourist infrastructure and more. So, this moment calls not only for celebration of past progress, but for proactive planning, collaboration and preparedness for future emerging issues. Nature-based solutions must be put front and centre. As not every Mediterranean country has the same financial or technological resources, regional solidarity is essential.”

Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of UNEP 

The high level event concluded with a Ministerial Declaration, reaffirming and renewing the ambitious commitment for a healthy Mediterranean Sea and Coast.

Ms. Tatjana Hema, UNEP/MAP Coordinator, opening the high-level event celebrating 50 years of the Barcelona Convention.

Also on June 10, with the Mediterranean at the heart of the discussions, MedWaves attended the MedDay event, co-organized by the Union for the Mediterranean. Among other key topics, the event underscored the importance of the ongoing review of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD), a process in which MedWaves is actively engaged.

Mediterranean Day co-organized by the UfM

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UNOC3 was a success in many ways, contributing continued support for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) on the marine environment (currently the least funded of all SDGs), mobilising sources of finance to conserve and sustainably use the Ocean and support the development of a sustainable blue economy, and the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan. Delegates made clear throughout the events that there is a need to accelerate actions to ratify the BBNJ Agreement, the Plastics treaty and address deep-sea mining. We all hope that the momentum experienced during UNOC3 will inspire waves of change and increased support for our Ocean, carrying us toward UNOC4 in 2028, to be hosted by the Republic of Korea and Chile. 

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