The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) will be co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in the French city of Nice from June 9 to 13 with the aim of “accelerating action” on protecting the world’s oceans.

The conference will cover climate change, pollution, biodiversity, and making humanity’s access to marine resources more sustainable. According to UNESCO’s head of marine policy, Julien Barbiere, the oceans are facing significant challenges such as increasing temperatures, sea level rise, pollution of various kinds, and conflicts over fishing and mineral resources.

Barbiere emphasized the urgent need to address these issues during the conference. While positive agreements and discussions have taken place in recent years on biodiversity and reducing pollution, it is crucial to translate these commitments into concrete actions that are properly financed.

Despite the challenges, Barbiere remains optimistic, stating that solutions exist and that with human intervention, the ocean has the capacity to restore itself. The conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to collaborate and drive meaningful change in ocean conservation.

Previous UN Ocean Conferences were hosted in 2017 by Sweden and Fiji in New York and in 2022 by Portugal and Kenya in Lisbon. These gatherings have been instrumental in raising awareness and fostering international cooperation on ocean issues.

As the world faces growing environmental threats, the UNOC3 serves as a critical opportunity to mobilize global efforts towards safeguarding the oceans for future generations. By coming together to address the pressing challenges, stakeholders can work towards a more sustainable and resilient ocean ecosystem.

(Reuters/Production: Manuel Ausloos, Ardee Napolitano, Lewis Macdonald)