The UN Ocean Conference will take place in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025 - co-organised by the governments of France and Costa Rica. The conference's theme is "Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean." Organised every three years, this is the 3rd conference, and will see shipping raised up the agenda with plenary discussions and numerous side events. BIMCO will be in attendance to ensure the industry is well represented.
The third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) seeks to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG-14) – Life Below Water (currently the least funded of all SDGs) with three priorities, in order to produce an ambitious draft agreement:
- Working towards completion of multilateral processes linked to the oceans, to boost ambition for their protection;
- Mobilising sources of finance to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (SDG 14) and support the development of a sustainable blue economy;
- Strengthening and better disseminating knowledge linked to marine science to enhance policymaking.
It will also be the first UN Ocean Conference since the adoption of the legal agreement for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity (the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework and the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction), as well as discussions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution- all instruments that have the potential to change the way in which shipping operates.
There is a specific focus on the blue economy and sustainable maritime transport during the conference which brings together a community of member states, UN organisations and civil society representatives (NGOs, scientists, companies). And BIMCO will be present to ensure members views are represented, to gather information on topics of emerging concern and to develop networks and partnerships.
We would be keen to hear from any members attending UNOC or the preceding Blue Economy Finance Forum (BEFF)
BIMCO will be represented at the event by David Loosley (Secretary-General & CEO), Charlotte Lord (Chief Communications Officer) and Dr Bev Mackenzie (Head of IGO Engagement). To engage with any of the team attending please email bm@bimco.org
Events Programme
Shipping industry breakfast, Monaco
Date: Sunday 8 June
Time: 07:30-08:30
Location: Le Meridien Beach Plaza, Monaco
See details here
Side event: High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean: A New Leadership Commitment to Stem Ocean Noise and Protect Marine Biodiversity
Date: Tuesday 10 June
Time: 10:40-11:45
Location: Art Explorer catamaran, docked at the Port of Nice (within the Blue Zone)
See details here
Side event: 10,000 ships – Q&A
Date: Thursday 12 June
Time: 16:00-17:00
Location: UNOC Green Zone - La Baleine
Website: UNOC | Side Event
Join the conversation: Q&A on the 10,000 Ships for the Ocean initiative
Are you interested in how the global shipping industry can help shape the future of ocean observations and monitoring? Do you want to be part of a pioneering coalition to improve ocean observations for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future?
Join the IMO, WMO, IOC and others for a 1-hour Q&A session during the UN Ocean Conference in the Green Zone - The Whale - Protect, Explore, Decarbonise Pavillion, where the organisers will present the 10,000 Ships for the Ocean initiative. This is an opportunity for the shipping industry to:
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Learn about the vision and objectives of the initiative
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Understand how commercial vessels can contribute to ocean data collection
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Ask questions and share your ideas
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Connect with other stakeholders who want to support the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
This event is free and open to all to attend.
You can register for the event here and submit questions ahead of time
Join the conversation: Q&A on the 10 000 Ships for the Ocean initiative
Please make sure to complete your registration on the official Baleine website: https://we-are-the-ocean.com, in the ‘Registration’ section, in order to access the Green Zone – The Whale.
Side event: 10,000 ships – Partnering with the shipping industry to scale-up global ocean observations.
Date: Friday 13 June
Time: 12:15-13:30
Location: UNOC Blue Zone
Website: UNOC | Side Event
See details here
For more details on the BEFF please click here
For more details on UNOC please click here