Nice, France – 9 June 2025 – From the Pacific to France, the Pacific is not only mobilising in numbers but at the highest political level. Leaders and representatives from the region including from Governments, private sector and communities will join the international ocean community in the coming week in Nice, France for the third United Nations Ocean Conference as part of their collective effort to safeguard the Pacific Ocean.
As the international ocean community converges in its triennial ocean summit, Pacific Ocean Commissioner Dr Filimon Manoni said the region would be taking on that global stage as a strong collective with a clear message focused on its one ocean, one people and the much-needed finance reinforce their leadership in global ocean stewardship.
Acknowledging that the Pacific Ocean is a global endowment, and the Pacific people are her custodians especially for future generations, Dr Manoni said that going into this conference would not be business as usual.
Dr Manoni reiterated that with 98% of the Pacific region predominantly ocean, with its economies, cultures, and livelihoods fundamentally ocean-based, it would be crucial engaging effectively with global ocean partners during this weeklong conference.
Pacific Island Countries are custodians of 20% of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zones, and fishing remains a key livelihood, with 47% of Pacific households relying on it as a primary or secondary source of income.
“In this conference, the Pacific intends to speak not only with a loud voice but a united, collective, strong voice, in promoting the protection of the ocean to make the ocean healthy and productive, as it is important to us in our lives. Pacific solutions are Global solutions” said Dr Manoni.
“The health of our planet depends on the health of our Blue Pacific. Yet, the financing to sustain our ocean falls well below what is needed.”
SDG 14 remains one of the least funded and implemented global goals, with developing states bearing the bulk of the burden. While Pacific Island countries have mobilised over US$2 billion in climate finance over the past decade, this remains far short of what is needed for effective adaptation and mitigation.
The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice starting on Monday June 9 to Friday June 13 is co-organised by France and Costa Rica.
Under the theme, “Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” the conference aims to support implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): Life Below Water.
This conference aims to deliver an ambitious Nice Ocean Action Plan by focusing on three key areas including completing multilateral processes related to the ocean, mobilizing finance resources for Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14) and supporting a sustainable blue economy, and strengthening and disseminating knowledge from marine sciences to enhance policymaking.
