United Nations Ocean Conference 2025

IAEA Participation in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

The high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (the 2025 UN Ocean Conference) will be held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.

The overarching theme of the Conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. The Conference, comprising an opening segment, ten plenary sessions, ten Ocean Action Panels and a closing segment, aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and identify further ways and means to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. It will build on existing instruments to form successful partnerships towards the swift conclusion and effective implementation of ongoing processes that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. The Conference shall adopt, by consensus a brief, concise, action oriented and intergovernmentally agreed declaration, which along with a list of voluntary commitments, will be referred to as “Nice Ocean Action Plan”.

The Conference will involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14.

IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories Side Events at UNOC3

Blue Zone

COMBATTING MARINE POLLUTION, INCLUDING PLASTICS, THROUGH INNOVATIVE INTERNATIONAL ACTION

Tuesday, 10 June, 10:30 to 11:45 (75 min duration), room 5

Overview:

This high-level event will demonstrate how ambitious global environmental policies, innovative technologies, international networks and capacity building can jointly lead to a zero-pollution ocean.

Organising partners:

IAEA - Marine Environment Laboratory, Surfrider Foundation Europe, European Environment Agency, Mercator Ocean International, NORMAN Network, Environmental Investigation Agency, International Scientist’s Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, UNEP, Costa Rica

OCEAN-BASED CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL: APPROACHES, RISKS, CO-BENEFITS, AND GOVERNANCE

Monday, 9 June 2025, 15:45-17:00, room 1

Overview:

This side event highlights global collaborative research on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) and its relationship with the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean in line with SDG 14. The event will feature high-level leaders from the United Nations, China, the European Commission, France, Monaco, and representatives of the Ocean Panel. The event will include: A 5-min introduction by a high-level UN representative (Thomson); a 30-min science session led by world-renowned experts (Boyd, Gattuso, Jiao, and Webb), addressing practices and key issues from recent collaborative efforts on mCDR; a 25-min panel discussion on monitoring, reporting, verification and governance of mCDR; a 15-min open discussion with the audience leading to ocean literacy and capacity building of mCDR.

Organizing partners:

China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS); Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER); University of Tasmania (UTAS); Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation/OACIS; World Resources Institute (WRI); International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Marine Environment Laboratories

UN OCEANS AS A MECHANISM TO MOBILIZE MULTILATERAL OCEAN ACTION AND AMPLIFY COLLECTIVE IMPACTS TOWARD THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDG 14

Thursday, 12 June, 10:30-11:45, room 5

Overview:

The side 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. UN-Oceans will further announce its pledge to “strengthen multilateral action for accelerating achievement of SDG 14”, a voluntary commitment to enhance information-sharing, alignment, synergistic action and impact tracking across UN agencies.

Organizing partners:

UN-Oceans (UN/OLA/DOALOS), CBD, CITES, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IMO, IOC-UNESCO, ISA, OHCHR, UNCTAD, UNFCCC, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO 2001 Convention, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, World Bank, WMO

Blue Zone Side Events - participant

A NEW INTERGOVERMENTAL ORGANIZATION FOR DIGITAL OCEAN SYSTEMS  AND INFORMATION SERVICES

Monday, 9 June, 10:30 to 11:45, room 5

Overview:

Copernicus Participating States, the European Commission and UN partners will celebrate the opening for signature of the Convention of Mercator International Centre for the Ocean.

Organising partners:

Mercator Ocean International, Government of France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain

UNLOCKING BLUE PACIFIC PROSPERITY

Tuesday 10 June, 12:15 to 13:30, room 5

Overview:

Showcasing Pacific leadership and innovation in 100% sustainable ocean management and conservation through Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity, and inviting partners to join the momentum.

Organizing partners:

Government of Tuvalu, Palau, Niue, The Pacific Community, Bezos Earth Fund

FIJI’S NATIONAL OCEANS POLICY AT MIDPOINT: PROGRESS, CHALLENGES, AND NEXT STEPS

Wednesday 11 June, 8:45 to 10:00, room 1

Overview:

A high-level side event reflecting on Fiji’s National Oceans Policy implementation midway, highlighting achievements, ongoing challenges, and future priorities for ocean governance.

Organizing partners:

Fiji Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, The Pacific Community (SPC), Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Blue Prosperity Fiji (BPF), National Geographic Society - Pristine Seas

UN-OCEANS AS A MECHANISM TO MOBILIZE MULTILATERAL OCEAN ACTION AND AMPLIFY COLLECTIVE IMPACTS TOWARD THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDG 14

Thursday12 June, 10:30 to 11:45, room 5

Overview:

This event will showcase UN-Oceans as a mechanism to mobilize multilateral action, amplify collective impacts and provide efficient cross- cutting solutions to support States’ efforts to achieve SDG14.

Organizing partners:

UN-Oceans (UN/OLA/DOALOS), CBD, CITES, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IMO, IOC-UNESCO, ISA, OHCHR, UNCTAD, UNFCCC, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO 2001 Convention, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOPS, World Bank, WMO

HIGH LEVEL ROUND TABLE – RETHINKING PHILANTHROPE SUPPORT FOR PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES

Friday 13 June, 12:15 to 13:30, room 1

Overview:

A high-level UNOC3 Pacific regional side event exploring the transformative role of philanthropy in supporting Pacific SIDS leadership and partnerships for ocean governance and climate resilience.

Organizing partners:

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Sasakawa and the Nippon Foundation, Waitt Foundation, Pristine Seas and National Geographic, Ocean 5

Virtual Side Event

NUCLEAR ENERGY AND OCEAN HEALTH: POWERING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

2025 UN Ocean Conference IAEA virtual side event

Wednesday, 11 June 14:00 - 15:00 (UTC+02:00) Video conferencing platform: Webex (click on the link to access the meeting)

Overview:

This side event will highlight the critical role of nuclear energy in mitigating climate change and achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while demonstrating IAEA’s commitment to support MSs in protecting ocean health and minimising related risks to the marine environment.
 

Speakers:

Henri Paillère, Section Head, Planning and Economic Studies Section, Division of Planning, Information and Knowledge Management, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy
Adam Stackhouse, Senior Advisor, UK Environment Agency and OSPAR Radioactive Substances Committee Chair
Daeji Kim, Head and Principal Researcher, Environmental Radioactivity Assessment Department, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety
Mikael Hult, Section Head, Radionuclide Metrology, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Geel, Belgium