From 9-13 June, the World Maritime University – Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) will participate in the high-level 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), taking place in Nice, France. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the Conference centers on the theme: “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.” As an official supporter, the WMU-GOI will co-host three side events in the official UNOC Green and Blue Zones as well as participate in other events and pavilions.
The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC)
Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean
The 2025 UNOC aims to accelerate action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean and marine resources in line with Sustainable Development Goal 14. The Conference will gather governments, the UN system, intergovernmental organizations, financial institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to drive meaningful ocean solutions.
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) Side Event
The World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) is partnering on and will moderate the high level panel at the FAO GFCM side event "Accelerating sustainability, Transforming Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and aquaculture." The event will highlight regional cooperation to transform fisheries and aquaculture in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, announce the GFCM Voluntary Ocean Commitment, and mobilize sustainability pledges from key stakeholders.
WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute Side Event
The World Maritime University (WMU)-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI) roundtable titled "Charting the Future: BBNJ and Ocean Governance Solutions for the Triple Planetary Crisis" will explore how the BBNJ Agreement can drive transformative ocean governance in response to the triple planetary crisis, with a focus on empowering SIDS and LDCs through inclusive policies, capacity development, and innovative, gender-responsive solutions to achieve SDG 14.
Ocean Ambassador Workshop Space
The WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute will host an interactive workshop titled “Dive into Action: Uniting Ocean Ambassadors for a Sustainable Future” where ocean literacy meets creativity, empowering participants of all ages to become Ocean Ambassadors and drive action for a sustainable, resilient future in line with SDG 14.
Participation in Partners Events
In addition to co-hosting side events, WMU-GOI experts will contribute to several high-level partner sessions throughout the Conference:
On 9 June at 15:00, at the MarViva Foundation Side Event: “The role of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) as a crucial tool of ecosystem integrated management” in the UNOC Green Zone, La Baleine, Pavilion Beyond Borders (register here).
On 10 June, at 13:00, at The Economist – World Ocean Initiative Side event “The crucial role of technology to restore ocean health”, at Hotel Aston La Scala (register here).
On 10 June at 09:00, at the Lloyd’s Register Side event “Turning Ideas into Action – Championing the Role of Engineers in Building a Safe and Sustainable Ocean Economy” at Hotel Aston La Scala (register here).
On 10 June, at 13:00, at the UN DOALOS and UNNF Event on Capacity-building “Capacity Imperative for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea”, in the UNOC Green Zone, La Baleine (The Whale) (register here).
On 11 June at 14:00, at the UN MSC Foundation Side Event “Ocean Stewardship from the Helm - Enhancing Ocean Literacy in Association with the Maritime Sector for Thriving Oceans and Healthy Reefs”, at the UNOC Green Zone, La Baleine (The Whale) (register here).
If you will be attending the UN Ocean Conference 2025, please feel free to write to us at goievents@wmu.se to connect with the delegation onsite.
ACCESS THE post event material below
Post event material to the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, Nice France
About the 12th annual World Ocean Summit & Expo
The World Ocean Summit, hosted by Economist Impact with the support of The Nippon Foundation, is a leading global platform dedicated to accelerating the transition to a sustainable ocean economy. The 12th edition, held in Tokyo in 2025, brought together a diverse range of stakeholders—from business and finance to government, civil society, and academia—to foster collaboration and drive action on ocean health. Set against Japan’s rich maritime heritage, the summit focused on ocean stewardship, innovation, and practical solutions to marine challenges, paving the way for progress on UN SDG 14, focused on the ocean.
About the BBNJ Clinic Programme
The Ireland and WMU-GOI BBNJ Clinic is dedicated to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in their efforts to ratify and implement the BBNJ Agreement. Effective and prompt implementation of the BBNJ Agreement is crucial for ocean sustainability and conservation and addressing global inequalities in access to ocean resources. SIDS, characterized as ‘large ocean states’ due to their geographical features and interconnection with and knowledge of ocean ecosystems, as well as coastal LDCs, are among the most significant beneficiaries of the Agreement and among the most important actors in contemporary ocean affairs. However, these States can face capacity and resource challenges in implementing the BBNJ Agreement. The Programme aims to fulfill both practical capacity development and hands-on educational mandates. WMU-GOI researchers and external experts, including the lead negotiators of the BBNJ intergovernmental conference, will lead the consultation process facilitated by the Clinic, and facilitate ratification and implementation procedures undertaken by legal advisors, government officials, and relevant stakeholders from SIDS and coastal LDCs.
about FUTURE OCEAN PROGRAMME
The Future Ocean Programme is funded by The Nippon Foundation and aims to generate knowledge and understanding of how law, political science, and public policy are used to effect change in humanity’s relationship with the ocean to combat the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution.