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UN Ocean Conference Logo
Experts from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) are participating in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica, taking place from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Nice, France.
The event brings together diverse global representatives from the scientific community, governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society, philanthropy, industry, and United Nations entities to celebrate achievements and set joint priorities.
The 2025 UN Ocean Conference is focused on “Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”, seeking to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14).
Connect with us
Events
Find the most up-to-date event locations and timings here.
We’ll be participating and attending numerous events across the conference, including:
9th June
Action panels:
Conserving, sustainably managing and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, including deep-sea ecosystems
Increasing ocean-related scientific cooperation, knowledge, capacity building, marine technology and education
Side events:
A New Intergovernmental Organisation for Digital Ocean Systems and Information Services.
Celebrating High Seas Action: Accelerating the Race for Ratification & Ambitious Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement
Blue Tourism: Advancing Sustainable and Resilient Ocean Economies for People and Planet
Small Island Developing States for SDG14: SIDS Ministerial Roundtable on Ocean Action
10th June
Action panels:
Mobilising finance for ocean actions
Preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution
Side events:
Lloyds Register Side Event: Turning ideas into action – championing the role of engineers in building a safe and sustainable ocean economy
Economist World Ocean Initiative
- Combatting marine pollution, including plastics, through innovative international action
Special events:
Challenger 150 (Decade) discussion event on Atlantic Cooperation on deep-sea biodiversity
11th June
Action panels:
Fostering sustainable fisheries management
Advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, sustainable maritime transport and coastal community resilience.
Digital pavilion:
Advances in Sea Level Rise Monitoring, including In-situ monitoring of sea level rise - The Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) - Dr Elizabeth Bradshaw (NOC)
Side events:
Oceana event: Putting the 'P' back into Marine Protected Areas: from paper-parks to a healthy ocean and thriving communities
Our Ocean, Our Investment: Unlocking Finance and Innovation for a Blue Future
Celebrating Ocean Innovation Reception
12th June
Action panels:
Leveraging ocean, climate and biodiversity interlinkages
Promoting and supporting all forms of cooperation
Side events:
Promoting and supporting all forms of cooperation
Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative Event
Screening of "How Deep Is Your Love". Film recorded onboard SMARTEX exhibition.
Ocean Science and Its Policy Interface: from Knowledge to Sustainable Ocean Solutions
GOOS Critical Infrastructure for Ocean Future
13th June
Action panels:
Promoting the role of sustainable food from the ocean
Implementing international law as reflected in the UNCLOS
Side events:
Rising Waters, Rising Cities - Local Solutions for Resilient Communities and Oceans
Special events:
Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative
10,000 ships for the ocean
Action Panels
See below key messages where NOC research and technology development contribute to the Action Panels.
Conserving, sustainably managing and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, including deep-sea ecosystems
Effective data collection, sharing and evidence-based decision making help improve governance of the ocean.
We are experts in deep-sea research, including the long-term observation of deep-sea environments and ecosystems. With increasing interest in sustainably exploiting the resources of the ocean, we bring the best available science into policy and decision-making for the deep-sea environment, to ensure the highest environmental standards are upheld.
Key NOC projects:
Increasing ocean-related scientific cooperation, knowledge, capacity building, marine technology and education
Solving global challenges requires all ocean stakeholders working together. Capacity building and ocean knowledge isn’t just for academia, industry plays a key role with funding, research & development, and global reach. This includes the BORA Blue Ocean Research Alliance, which enables greater access for scientists to build knowledge and understanding of the ocean.
Our work in ocean education and literacy are also vital, which is supported through our Education Forum, public engagement, and open day events.
Key NOC projects:
Mobilising finance for ocean actions and promoting and supporting all forms of cooperation
UNOC3 is a chance to mobilise finance to the least funded SDG, SDG 14. Our Ocean Catalyst accelerator supports start-ups, connecting them with investors and ensuring that ocean science drives sustainable growth and that climate and biodiversity are valued alongside economic development.
Key NOC projects:
Preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution
Research into marine pollution is a key focus for our scientists, including aiming to understand the impacts of plastics. We study microplastics in deep-sea habitats and marine reserves to close knowledge gaps about their location and movement, seeking to understand the true impact of plastic on our ocean ecosystems.
Key NOC research:
Advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, sustainable maritime transport and coastal community resilience
A sustainable blue economy is vital for the future of ocean-based economies and coastal communities. Through our NOC Innovations Hub and Ocean Catalyst programme, alongside wider industry partnerships and ongoing engagement with our key regional partners, we are supporting this growth.
We also work closely with coastal community groups and residents to help them understand how changes in the ocean impact society, including research on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), weather changes, flooding, coastal erosion and more.
Learn more:
Leveraging ocean, climate and biodiversity interlinkages
The ocean is home to millions of species of plants and animals, all playing vital roles in keeping our planet healthy. It acts as a giant climate regulator, absorbing vast amounts of heat. Without it, Earth would be about 30 degrees hotter.
We work on projects examining the role of the ocean and its flora and fauna, and how they link to climate, including seagrass restoration, carbon storage and the impact of marine renewables on biodiversity.
Key projects:
Implementing international law as reflected in the UNCLOS
As a research organisation, we work in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the global agreement that provides clear rules for conducting marine scientific research and encourages stronger nations to support others with less research capacity.
Our research helps protect and preserve the marine environment by improving our understanding of ocean health. It also supports countries in defining their maritime zones, important for managing resources and adapting to global challenges like sea level rise.
In areas beyond national borders, known as the High Seas, we are one of the few organisations in the world with the capability to carry out research, that helps inform international regulations and policies.