The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) took place in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025. For the first time, the UN accredited the German Maritime Centre as an observer institution. Managing Director Dr. Matthias Catón represented the Centre in Nice. Key discussions included the ratification and implementation of the landmark BBNJ agreement, which regulates the protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas. Other significant topics were the fight against plastic pollution and the regulation and moratorium on seabed mining.
The conference was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica and brought together over 15,000 participants, including more than 60 Heads of State and Government. The theme was “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. The conference aimed to strengthen the protection and sustainable use of the ocean, seas, and their resources, particularly by advancing the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) on Life Below Water: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” The conference concluded with a political declaration titled “Our ocean, our future: united for urgent action”.
