Recap of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3)

The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) took place in Nice from June 9 to 13. It was co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. There was more than 130 countries at this event with the goal to accelerate actions to protect the ocean.

from June 9, 2025 to June 13, 2025

UNOC3
UNOC3

An international scientific commitee with urgent decisions for the ocean.

Ahead of the event, the One Ocean Science Congress, co-organized by Ifremer, one of the Institute Carnot MERS founding members, brought together more than 2000 scientifics from June 3 to 5. The goal was to elaborate a roadmap for the heads state and government, delivered the day before the UNOC-3.

Their message is strong : act fast, listen to the scientists and change the way we use the ocean.

After one year of work by the international scientific committee, 3 priority measures were proposed:

  • Protect at least 30% of the ocean permanently and effectively
  • Put an end to the damaging subsidies
  • Erase progressively fossil fuels
Among the 10 recommendations proposed by the congress, several match with the Carnot MERS actions.
 

UNOC-3 review : commitment and future prospects

At the end of these 5 days, more than 800 commitments had been announced, and new financing initiatives had been launched to support the blue economy. Notables advances included:

  • Adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, politic roadmap for better integrationfeuille de route politique qui appelle à mieux intégrer les enjeux liés à l’océan dans les politiques climatiques, à renforcer les engagements existants et à mobiliser la science et l’innovation pour orienter l’action.
  • Announcement of €8,7 billion of public and private founding to sustain the blue economy, particularly through the decarbonization of the maritime transport, the ecosystem restoration, or the development of the marines energy.
  • Progress on marine protected areas (MPAs) : these now cover more than 10% of the ocean, with new announcements like the French Polynesia (compared around 8,3% before, but only 2,8% "effectively protected").
  • Progress in the ratification of the Treaty on the High Seas (BBNJ), with 18 new ratifications announced, bringing the total number of countries committed to 50, close to the threshold for coming into force.
  • Launch of international coalitions, especially against plastic pollution and in favor of the coastal resilience, with the support of major coastal cities, scientifics actors and institutional.

Institute Carnot MERS in line with UNOC-3 concerns

As the only Institute Carnot dedicated to the ocean engineering, Carnot MERS develop collaborations between companies and public laboratories with skills, technical ressources and exceptional testing sites, to respond to the major maritime challenge coming.

Through his projets in partenarial research, Carnot MERS - network of 9 publics laboratories spread across the coastline maritime of France - works on issues directly link to his priorites:

  • SAFE : understand the effects of the marine environment on the structures and ecosystems and improve their resiliences.
  • SMART : integrate digital tools to optimise maritime uses and reduce their impact.
  • SUSTAINABLE : soutenir l’émergence de nouvelles filières respectueuses des équilibres marins. supporting the emergence of new sectors that respect marine balance.

The conference shows a growing political will, but the implementation of these actions will depend on solid scientific approachs, innovation and collaborations between public, academic and socio-economic spheres.
 

That's why Carnot MERS exist : contribute, with public research, to a ocean more resiliente, efficient and sustainable.

Published on September 4, 2025 Updated on September 4, 2025

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