Locations"Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean"
UNDP at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3)
May 8, 2025
Event Details
June 5, 2025
-
June 13, 2025
CEST
Nice, France and Monaco
New York, May 8 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is proud to announce its ambitious engagement at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) in Nice, France from 9-13 June 2025, demonstrating its unwavering support for action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG-14). There is an urgent need to strengthen ocean governance to facilitate effective conservation and management of marine and coastal ecosystems, ensure data availability, and encourage investment that supports the transition to a sustainable ocean economy.
Building on the successes of the past two UN ocean conferences and the launch of UNDP’s Ocean Promise in 2022, UNDP at UNOC-3 aims to redefine ocean sustainability and elevate the discourse surrounding blue and green economy challenges, public-private partnerships for innovative financing, and investing in transformative approaches for new economic opportunities in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
UNDP’s efforts are geared towards building robust partnerships to assist countries in achieving their ocean targets with a focus on ocean finance and nature-positive solutions, including by promoting several signature initiatives like the Ocean Promise, Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC), SIDS Offer 2.0, the Blue and Green Island Integrated Programme, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and promoting practical solutions that tackle the triple planetary crisis (ocean-climate-pollution) together with our partners.
UNDP is organizing a number of high-level events at UNOC-3 (please see the list below), including with the engagement of high-level dignitaries— UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, HRH Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway and HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, President of Cabo Verde, Minister for International Development, Government of UK, Ministers from several Small Island Developing States (Palau, Maldives, Grenada), H.E. Ambassador Ignacio Ybáñez, EU Special Envoy on SIDS, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment Facility, among others.
UNDP’s engagements at UNOC-3 include:
| Date, Time and Venue | Event Zone | Event title | Description | Event organisers / partners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 June, Thursday 12:45–13:45 (CEST) Room 8 | One Ocean Science Congress 2025 - Interactive Town Hall | Scientific Support to the Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement | The town hall will bring together state representatives, regional bodies, and experts to discuss current scientific gaps, technology needs, and socio-economic considerations at national and regional levels. Panelists will address how data—including traditional knowledge - can guide sustainable practices in ABNJ and explore innovative public-private financing approaches. | Lead Convener: UNEP partnership with FAO, UNDP, DOALOS, UNEP WCMC, UNEP FI, IUCN, UNESCO IOC (IW: LEARN), |
7 June, Saturday 09:30-11:00 (CEST) Grimaldi Forum, Monaco | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 | Plenary Session 1: Investing for Ocean Health, Preservation and Resilience
Panel 2: Financing Transboundary Conservation Programmes | The plenary session will focus on financial instruments that de-risk investments in ocean preservation and mechanisms for private investor engagement in sustainable marine initiatives.
| Blue Economy and Finance Forum |
7 June, Saturday 11:30-13:00 Grimaldi Forum, Monaco | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 - Coral Reef-Positive Finance: Protecting Earth’s Climate Refugia | The finance-focused event will spotlight investable, reef-positive solutions emerging from the world’s most coral-dependent regions. Pipeline builders and entrepreneurs will present real-world examples from Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Brazil, and across Small Island Developing States (SIDS). | UNCDF, Government of Mexico, Government of Indonesia, SHAMS, WMBP, Matanataki, Blue Alliance, Agrion, Arena Recycling, MAR Fund, BNP Paribas, PCA, Deutsche Bank, Asian, ADB, CAF |
7 June, Saturday 17:00-18:30 Grimaldi Forum, Monaco | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 - One Ocean Finance: Financing a Regenerative & Sustainable Blue Economy | The high-level dialogue will convene public, private, and civil society actors to explore how innovative financial mechanisms can help close the estimated $175 billion annual SDG 14 finance gap while unlocking the full potential of the ocean as a global public good. | Global Compact, INC , ADB, OECD, Government of Marshall Islands, Government of Palau, Government of Belize, Builders Vision |
8 June, Sunday 09:00– 10:15 (CEST) | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025: Plenary Session 3: Transforming Blue ports and Shipping | The event will focus on financing maritime transport decarbonisation, adopting renewable energy, and enhanced port sustainability to mitigate climate change and promote ocean health within global supply chains. | IMO |
8 June, Sunday 11:00– 13:00 (CEST) Grimaldi Forum, Monaco | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 | Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 - Closing | The closing program of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) on June 8, 2025, will feature closing remarks from President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, HRH Crown Princess of Sweden, HRH Prince William of UK, UN SG Antonio Guterres, as well as Presidents of Brazil, Namibia, and Palau. | Blue Economy and Finance Forum |
9 June, Monday 12:15-13.30 Room 1 | Corporate High-Level Event Blue Zone | Integrated Solutions for Sustainable Ocean Economies: Tough questions answered! | The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) join forces to co-organize a side event that aims to underscore the importance of integrated solutions for sustainable ocean economies amidst complex geopolitical, trade, financial, and capacity challenges. | Co-hosts: UNDP and UNCTAD Co-organizers: Republic of Costa Rica, Government of Chile, AUC, FAO, UNEP, UNDOALOS, GEF, OECD |
9 June, Monday 12:30-15.30 Statsraad Lehmkhul, Nice, France | Off-site | The Ocean We Depend On: Achieving SDG 14 Through Sustainable Governance | This mini conference is a celebration of longstanding ocean partnerships, joining forces to ensure sustainability in environmental, economic and social dimensions. The conference will highlight the importance of the science policy dimension and cross- sectorial competence approach, both on a national, regional and global level. | Norway, Global Action Network Food from the Ocean and Inland Waters for Food Security and Nutrition, Blue Justice, FAO, Nordic Council of Ministers ++ |
9 June, Monday 14:00-15:00
Nice’s Palexpo, France | Green Zone | Scaling collective action for 30x30: the East asian Seas Regional Collaborative Network of MPAs | The Seas of East Asia (SEA) is home to the richest marine biodiversity on earth, driving decades of conservation leadership. In response to Cambodia’s call for greater regional collaboration at the EAS Congress 2024, followed by stakeholder planning and alignment workshops during Our Ocean Conference 2025, key partners have established the Regional Collaborative Network of Marine Protected Areas for the East Asian Seas. This side event launches the Network as a platform for joint action, knowledge exchange, and capacity building to accelerate progress toward SDG14 and 30x30. Regional actors will present approaches for connected, inclusive, and effective marine protection across the EAS. | COBSEA, PEMSEA, ASEAN ENMAPS, ATSEA, Coral Triangle Initiative, WESTPAC, IUCN, NEAMPAN, SCS SAP Project, supported by GEF, UNDP, UNEP |
9 June, Monday 14:15-15:30
Nice’s Palexpo, France | Green Zone Ocean Basecamp | Scaling Impact – MPA Networks and the Power of Coalition Innovating and Enforcing for a Protected Ocean (30x30) | The session will be exploring two critical dimensions of achieving the global 30x30 target: cutting-edge innovation and robust enforcement of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The event will begin by showcasing how UNDP Ocean Innovators (OIC alumni) are developing and implementing groundbreaking solutions to tackle challenges like illegal fishing, marine bycatch, and plastic pollution, fostering sustainable livelihoods and equitable access to marine resources. | Seas at Risk, ClientEarth, Oceana, UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge Alumni (Fundación OneSea, IPNLF, Surrey Space Centre, Fundacion Mare Nostrum & The Leatherback Project, University of Rhode Island - Coastal Resources Center, IUCN), UNDP |
9 June, Monday 15:45-17:00 B | Blue Zone | Small Island Developing States for SDG14: SIDS Ministerial Roundtable on Ocean Action | As custodians of vast tracts of ocean and coast, SIDS are leading the world by pioneering integrated and inclusive development solutions through a ‘whole-of-island’ approach that conserves and sustainably uses their ocean and coastal resources while mitigating and adapting to climate change, promoting access to sustainable energy, enhancing local and digital capacity, and creating jobs.
| Cabo Verde Ministry of Finance and Planning, UNDP, EU, UK, Global Environment Fund (GEF) |
10 June, Tuesday Green Zone/ Nice’s Palexpo, France | Green Zone - Pavillion | UNOC3 Coral Reef Pavilion | The Coral Pavilion at UNOC3 will spotlight global action on coral reef resilience, restoration, sustainable management, and innovative financing. | ICRI, SHAMS, GFCR, Bloomberg Philanthropies Ocean Initiative |
10 June, Tuesday 10:00 - 13:00 Ocean Action Panel Room | Blue Zone | Ocean Action Panel 3 – Mobilizing Finance for Ocean Actions in Support of SDG 14 | The Ocean Action Panel 3 on mobilizing finance for ocean actions supporting SDG14 explores the challenges and opportunities of advancing sustainable ocean economies through innovative and systemic financing solutions. | UNDESA, UNDP, UNCDF, UNEP |
10 June, Tuesday 14:30-15:00 Port Lympia, Nice, France | Blue Zone
SDG Media zone | SIDS: Leaders for Ocean Action | A moderated panel discussion with live webcast on UNTV.
| UN Department for Global Communications |
10 June, Tuesday 16:00-20:00
Hotel Saint Paul | Off-site | International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN) Side Event : Partnering for Ocean Sustainability and SDG14, 30 years of LME Cooperation and the Path Ahead | IW:LEARN will commemorate its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of international partnership and collaboration. The event will include a panel discussion focused on private sector engagement, followed by a cocktail reception. | IW:Learn |
10 June, Tuesday 15:45-17:00 Room 1 | Blue Zone | Protecting Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs: A High-Level Commitment (WCS) | This event will integrate the latest scientific findings with a high-level government commitment and will be supported by strategic funders and partners. This event will launch a call to action for countries to commit to protecting climate-resilient coral reefs. | WCS |
11 June, Wednesday 08:00 – 9:30 Azur 2, Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée | Off-site | Coral High-Level Breakfast - Coral Reefs And People: Honouring Culture And Advancing Conservation Action For The Pacific Islands | Taking place during the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), outside the Blue Zone, the breakfast will pre-launch the GCRMN’s “Status and Trends of Coral Reefs in the Pacific: 1980 – 2024” report. The event will also spotlight the practical implementation of conservation action through GFCR-supported projects across Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and beyond. | Co hosted by ICRI and GFCR |
11 June, Wednesday 08:45-10:00 (CEST) Port Lympia, Nice, France | Blue Zone | Sustainable Shipping: our ocean - our obligation - our opportunity | The event will highlight the role of sustainableshipping in protecting our ocean, showcasing IMO’s regulatory and implementation efforts, focusing ontwo areas: marine litter and underwater noise. | International Maritime Organization, UNDP, FAO, Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) of Costa Rica, Ministry of Ecological Transition, France, South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Global Industry Alliance for Marine Biosafety (GIA) |
11 June,
10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual Side event | Innovation and technology for better oceans health | The virtual event will demonstrate the engagement of central innovation-oriented organizations and initiatives in ocean environmental issues including climate change, and will showcase examples of technology-based solutions available. | Lead: WIPO with TEC and CTCN, UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge, UN Water, FAO Office of Innovation, and WIPO GREEN |
11 June, Wednesday 11:00-11:30 (CEST) Port Lympia, Nice, France | Blue Zone
SDG Media Zone | Ocean Finance | A moderated panel discussion with live webcast on UNTV. | UN Department for Global Communications |
11 June, Wednesday 14:30-16:00 (CEST) Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée | Off-site | Global Fund for Coral Reefs dialogue session | An informal dialogue session of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs will bring together Executive Board members, the UN Global Team, and Convening Agent representatives to foster open exchange and feature brief presentations from key implementing partners. | GCFR |
11 June, Wednesday 15:00-18:00 (CEST) Ocean Action Panel Room Port Lympia, Nice, France | Blue Zone | Ocean Action Panel 6: Advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, sustainable maritime transport and coastal community resilience leaving no one behind | Ocean Action Panel 6 will explore strategies to advance sustainable ocean-based economies, promote low-carbon and resilient maritime transport, and strengthen coastal community resilience, leaving no one behind. More information about this event will be available soon. | |
11 June, 15:45-17:00 Room 5 | Blue Zone | Our Ocean, Our Investment: Unlocking Finance and Innovation for a Blue Future | Innovative finance is key to unlocking ocean solutions that are both sustainable and inclusive. This session brings together leaders from the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge, the PVBLIC Foundation, and the Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP) to explore how new financing models—like blended finance, media-for-impact, and nature-based investments—are driving real change in coastal communities and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). | PVBLIC Foundation, Surrey Space Center Co-organizers: UNDP, Ficosterra, The Leatherback Project, Fundacion Mare Nostrum, Fundacion OneSea |
11 June, Wednesday 17:15 – 18:00 (CEST) Salle Orca Nice’s Palexpo, France | Green Zone | Source to Sea Approach to Ending Marine Plastic Pollution: Policy, Innovation, Financing and Partnerships | This session brings together key stakeholders to examine how the Source to Sea approach can advance scalable solutions to marine plastic pollution. Discussions will focus on strengthening policy frameworks, showcasing circular economy innovations, launching a new brochure on Nature-based Solutions, exploring financing mechanisms, and fostering global and regional partnerships. | UNDP and Government of Costa Rica Partners: GEF, FFEM, Government of Norway, UNCDF and Ocean Cleanup |
11 June, Wednesday 17:15 – 18:00 (CEST)
Nice’s Palexpo, France | Green Zone | De-risking Investments in the Blue Economy | The high-level event explores the role of insurance in unlocking ocean finance with representatives from UNDP, government, civil society, and insurance and banking community. | UNDP, AXA, and the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) |
11 June, Wednesday 17:30 – 18:45 (CEST) Room 5 Port Lympia, Nice, France | Blue Zone | Actioning Blue: Unlocking Sustainable Ocean Financing and Enhanced Ocean Coordination for Caribbean SIDS | United in purpose, Caribbean SIDS are unlocking sustainable financing to advance a bold, shared vision for ocean governance. | Government of Grenada, Panama, Dominican Republic, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund; ProCaribe+ Team; Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, CARICOM Secretariat, TNC Caribbean, CI, Blue Nature Alliance, CRFM, OSPESCA, CCCAD, UNEP-CEP, UN ECLAC, UNDP,UNESCO-IOCARIBE, UNOPS, CAF |
12 June, Thursday 10:30 – 11:45 Room 3 | Blue Zone | The SIDS Coalition for Nature - Achievements & Perspectives for Ocean Action | At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, the SIDS Coalition for Nature, co-led by Samoa, Belize, and Cabo Verde, will host a side-event to present its achievements in advancing ocean action through six major initiatives aligned with the Coalition’s Call for Action on biodiversity financing, knowledge, and mainstreaming. The event will highlight initiatives being announced as Voluntary Ocean Commitments, showcase partnerships, and encourage new support for expanding SIDS-led solutions. | Government of Samoa as co-lead of The SIDS Coalition for Nature - Samoa, Belize, Cabo Verde plus other Government members and friends of the SIDS Coalition for Nature. UNEP, UNDP, UNDESA |
12 June, Thursday
10:30 – 11:45 (CEST)
Room 5 Port Lympia, Nice, France | Blue Zone | UN-Oceans as a mechanism to mobilize multilateral ocean action and amplify collective impacts toward the implementation of SDG 14 | This event will showcase UN-Oceans as a mechanism to mobilize multilateral action to confront the triple planetary crisis affecting the oceans and amplify collective impacts towards achievement of SDG14. Panellists will highlight cross-sectoral partnerships, financing mechanisms, regulatory and governance frameworks that enhance ocean conservation and sustainable use. | Lead: UN-Oceans (UN/OLA/DOALOS) |
12 June, Thursday
12:15 – 13:30
Room 5 | Blue Zone | Accelerating Action to meet Africa's Sustainable Blue Economy Aspirations | The High level African Union side event, is co-organised by the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Southern African Development Community, and the Inter-African Bureau on Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). The side event will convene major stakeholders driving continental, regional and national action in Africa to discuss Africa’s sustainable blue economy development needs, aspirations and achievements, and will identify areas of intervention and partnerships that can be accelerated through tangible ocean actions. The event will sound a Call for Action that articulates Africa’s collective commitment to developing her blue economy in a sustainable and equitable way. | Lead Organizers: African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA-NEPAD, in collaboration with IGAD, AU-IBAR Member states: Seychelles, Kenya Madagascar, Morocco (TBC) Participating Partners: AWFishNet, CAOPA, EU, Stop Illegal Fishing, OceanHub Africa |
12 June, Thursday
16:00 – 17:00 (CEST) Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel | Off-site | Turning ambition into action: River cleanup innovations for healthy ocean | This dynamic session will explore how river cleanup initiatives foster systemic change for ocean health. The session will feature innovative cleanup solutions advancing SDG 14, real-world impacts from Guatemala and Jamaica, and a cross-sector panel discussing the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of river cleanups. | The Ocean Clean Up |
13 June, Friday
08:45 – 10:00 (CEST)
Room 2 Port Lympia, Nice, France | Blue Zone | Sustainable Blue Economy in the Vision of Carbon Neutrality | This event will promote integrated oceangovernance, maximizing synergies between bluegrowth and climate action, with leaders andpartners engaging in solution-focused dialogues. | Xiamen University, CCICED, WEF, UNGC, Fujian-OI, MELXMU, UNDP, EDF, HKUST, Tara, CODF, AVPN |
