Media advisory: IUCN experts to attend UN Oceans Conference in Nice

IUCN experts have been closely engaging with the 18-month long process to negotiate a political declaration on the implementation of SDG14, expected to be adopted at the conference.

At UNOC 3 IUCN is calling for:

• The establishment of an International Panel for Ocean Sustainability; 

• The ratification of the BBNJ agreement, bringing it into force by the end of 2025;

• To conserve at least 30% of our ocean through an equitable and well-connected and ecologically represented system of protected areas and OECMs and the establishment of a One Ocean finance facility;

• For a strong future Plastics Treaty - one that is science-based and addresses all phases of the plastics lifecycle;

• The establishment of a "Nice to Abu Dhabi to Belem" bridge to ensure that the outcomes of UNOC3 are embedded in the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) to be held in Abu Dhabi in October 2025 and COP30 in Belem, Brazil.

As a Union of over 1,400 IUCN members and around 17,000 experts, IUCN will bring broad expertise to the conference, with members set to influence discussions on identifying Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs), Important Marine Turtle Areas (IMTAs) and potential candidate World Heritage sites.

As well as, providing a framework for measuring positive conservation in Antarctica in line with the IUCN Green List Standard and giving guidance on Blue Economy-related work. 

Interviews

To request an interview please contact the IUCN press team at [email protected].

Or contact Amy Coles, media and communications officer, [email protected], +41229990046. 

Useful resources

• IUCN’s key messages for the conference can be accessed here

• IUCN UNOC3 event page here: UN Ocean Conference 2025 - events | IUCN 

• Conference programme available here