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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 mobilising 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 SDG 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.

Blue zone side event at UNOC-3

Island waterscapes: where freshwater currents meet ocean resilience

12:15 – 13:30

This session will delve into the pressing challenges of island freshwater management – from scarce resources to seawater intrusion – hindering water quality and coastal resilience. From source to sea, it will unpack scientific gaps and pioneer integrated solutions at the crossroads of freshwater and ocean health. The discussion will bring to light international Communities of Practice and strategic alliances driving collaboration among island stakeholders, advancing sustainable fresh- and seawater management pathways while informing global policy frameworks.

Speakers

  • Liliane Geerling, Programme Coordinator – Partners for Water/Netherlands Enterprise Agency
  • Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Fiji
  • Marie-Laure Vercambre, Director General – French Water Partnership
  • Arpana Pratap, Director of the Blue Economy Department – Pacific Islands Development Forum
  • David Hebblethwaite (TBC), Water Governance Coordinator – Pacific Community
  • Gaëlle Hielard, Project Lead for Basin Policies and Regional Cooperation – Martinique’s Water Office
  • Ariane Blum (TBC), Water Director – BRGM
  • Karina Barquet, Head of the Water, Coasts and Ocean team – Stockholm Environment Institute
  • Myra van der Meulen, Head of the Resilience and Planning Department – Deltares

Ocean Voluntary Commitment
The Pacific Islands Development Forum will announce the establishment of the Pacific Countries Marine Spatial Planning and Sustainable Blue Economy Cooperation Center and the hosting of the second Pacific Blue Economy Conference. This session aims to foster new partnerships that will feed into these initiatives, which will be registered in the Voluntary Ocean Commitments database, with a view to strengthening blue economies across island societies.

Organising Partners
French Water Partnership, Partners for Water – Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Martinique’s Water Office, BRGM (TBC), Fiji’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Pacific Islands Development Forum, Stockholm Environment Institute, Pacific Community (TBC), Deltares