{"id":18162,"date":"2025-06-04T09:42:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T08:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/?p=18162"},"modified":"2025-06-04T09:42:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T08:42:17","slug":"un-ocean-conference-2025-to-feature-extensive-trade-and-development-agenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/un-ocean-conference-2025-to-feature-extensive-trade-and-development-agenda\/","title":{"rendered":"UN Ocean Conference 2025 to feature extensive trade and development agenda"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Trade\u2019s vital role in fostering sustainable ocean economies that leave no one behind will be in the spotlight during the high-stakes global meeting.<\/h4>\n

The ocean, which covers 70 per cent of Earth\u2019s surface, is essential to all life but is under exceptional strain.<\/p>\n

Climate change<\/a>, overfishing, pollution, underinvestment and fragmented governance threaten marine ecosystems\u00a0and the livelihoods of over 600 million people who rely on fisheries \u2013 a sector that sustains some 100 million jobs worldwide.<\/p>\n

Against this backdrop, the\u00a03rd United Nations Ocean Conference<\/a>, co-organized by France and Costa Rica, is set to take place on 9-13 June in the French city of Nice.<\/p>\n

The weeklong event will accelerate global action and mobilize all actors \u2013 government leaders, policymakers, businesses, academia, civil society and beyond \u2013 to sustainably use the ocean while supporting livelihoods.<\/p>\n

Trade is central to shaping the future of sustainable ocean development, given that more than 80% of the world\u2019s merchandise trade is carried by sea.<\/p>\n

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will be present in force at the conference led by Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan. The comprehensive agenda is available\u00a0online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Programme highlights: Inaugural \u2018Ocean House\u2019 and more<\/h4>\n

Leveraging the high-profile conference, UN Trade and Development seeks to spotlight\u00a0the vital role of trade in fostering\u00a0<\/strong>sustainable and inclusive ocean economies<\/strong><\/a>, particularly in relation to marine-based food systems,\u00a0non-plastic substitutes<\/a>\u00a0including\u00a0seaweed<\/a>, maritime transport, coastal community climate resilience, and equitable development.<\/p>\n

In the Blue Zone<\/strong>\u00a0for governments and accredited organizations, the organization will contribute by leading\u00a0Ocean Action Panel 6<\/a>, focused on advancing sustainable ocean-based economies and maritime transport, as well as coastal community resilience.<\/p>\n

UN Trade and Development will also co-organize side events to explore how trade, innovation and investment can turbocharge the booming ocean economy, where trade in ocean-based goods and services hit a record\u00a0$2.2 trillion<\/a>\u00a0in 2023.<\/p>\n

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The organization\u2019s\u00a0data<\/a>,\u00a0policy analysis<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0project insights<\/a>\u00a0will support discussions at Ocean Action Panels 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 covering ocean finance, the circular economy, sustainable fisheries, ocean food systems and blue economy strategies.<\/p>\n

In the Green Zone<\/strong>\u00a0for public engagement, innovation and partnerships, UN Trade and Development will co-host\u00a0the Ocean Sustainability Trade and Food House<\/strong>\u00a0with the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition and in cooperation with\u00a0the UN Food and Agriculture Organization<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Supported by Angola, France (with support from Seafoodia, an entity specializing in food supply chains), Portugal and the United Kingdom, the house \u2013 themed \u201cThe ocean that feeds us\u201d\u2014will spotlight how trade supports sustainable ocean-based food systems.<\/p>\n

Additionally, UN Trade and Development will present a joint voluntary commitment with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs to support\u00a0data-driven ocean action in small island developing states<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Policy recommendations for a future-ready ocean economy<\/h4>\n

Heading into the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, UN Trade and Development is continuing the momentum from the\u00a05th UN Ocean Forum<\/a>\u00a0concluded in March 2025, which delivered\u00a015 action-oriented recommendations<\/a>\u00a0aimed at:<\/p>\n