13.06.2025 | 00:00
France and Costa Rica are co-organizing the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025.
Ten years after COP21 and the Paris Agreement, UNOC3 intends to bring together all UN member states, their heads of state and government, international agencies, local authorities, civil society, the private sector and international donors.
UNOC3 will be focused on « Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean » and will seek to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), with three main priorities, in order to produce an ambitious Nice Ocean Action Plan:
- Priority 1: Working towards completion of multilateral processes linked to the Ocean
- Priority 2: Mobilizing finance ressources for the SDG14 and support the development of a sustainable blue economy
- Priority 3: Strengthen and better disseminate knowledge linked to marine sciences to enhance policy-making
The Nice Ocean Action Plan, composed of a political declaration as well as a list of voluntary commitments from stakeholders, will be adopted following international discussions during the Conference. Read more here.
In addition to the plenary session bringing together the 193 Member States of the United Nations, dialogue sessions will be held bringing together Member States, international organisations and representatives of civil society (NGOs, scientists, businesses).
These dialogues, the Ocean Action Panels, will highlight the commitment of the various players and the creation of coalitions and projects in favour of the Ocean. They will help to anchor the Conference in action by proposing concrete solutions with all the participants.
Open Call for Side Events
Side events can be organized either in-person or virtually, by Member States, the UN system, Intergovernmental Organizations and accredited non-governmental stakeholders. The side events will be an opportunity for all participants to share knowledge and solutions to accelerate implementation of SDG 14, identify new and emerging issues, exchange national and local experiences and practices, and showcase voluntary commitments for the Voluntary Ocean Commitments.
Side events should be closely related to the main theme of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference: “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. They should address innovative ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14.
Priority will be given to events organized by Member States and those organized in partnership by several networks/organizations. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to partner with others to organize a side event.
Side events can be hosted (1) in-person inside the Conference Venue (Blue Zone); (2) in-person at alternative locations in Nice; or (3) virtually.
Before applying, please read carefully the Guidelines document HERE.
- To apply for an in-person side event inside the Conference Venue (Blue Zone): https://bit.ly/UNOC3BlueZoneSideEventForm. Deadline: 14 March 2025.
- Download a sample of the online application form for Conference Venue side events here.
- To apply for an off-site side event at alternative locations in Nice: https://bit.ly/UNOC3OffSiteSideEventForm. Deadline: 21 April 2025.
- Download a sample of the online application form for off-site side events here.
- To apply for a virtual side event: https://bit.ly/UNOC3VirtualSideEventForm. Deadline: 21 April 2025.
- Download a sample of the online application form for virtual side events here.
Important!
- Priority for side events within the Conference Venue (Blue Zone) will be given to those organized by Member States and those organized in partnership by several networks/organizations.
- Due to the limited space available in the Conference Venue (Blue Zone), all interested parties are strongly encouraged to collaborate with other accredited entities in the organization of side events.
- The Conference Secretariat will review submissions and only notify those organizers whose events have been approved.
For questions regarding side events, please contact unoc2025@un.org indicating [Side Events] in the subject.