From 9 to 13 June 2025, the city of Nice will host the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), a pivotal global event dedicated to advancing the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. Among the many activities surrounding the summit, numerous side events will be held both in-person and virtually, organized in collaboration with UN Member States, UN bodies, intergovernmental organizations, and accredited non-governmental stakeholders.
A significant focus will be placed on the Mediterranean Sea, with several side events addressing themes such as decentralized cooperation, the blue economy, and civil society action on climate change. These discussions will underscore the Mediterranean’s unique challenges and its potential to lead regional ocean sustainability efforts.
One of the key events in this context will take place on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 15:45, titled “Sharing Effective Lessons Learned and Case Studies in the Mediterranean Towards a Future-Ready Sea Basin: From the Regional to the Global Context”
This high-level session is organized by Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MEES) and Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), in collaboration with REMPEC, INFO/RAC, The EU-funded BlueMissionMed Coordination and Support Action and the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP)
The event aims to highlight the strategic role of the Mediterranean in advancing a sustainable and resilient ocean economy. It will be described how regional cooperation can effectively contribute to the global ocean agenda and promote an integrated approach to transformation and sustainable development through:
- Effective case studies in renewable energy, sustainable maritime transport, eco-tourism, and marine conservation and restoration;
- Regional leadership and knowledge-sharing, particularly in the context of the Barcelona Convention, and contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14);
- Systemic innovation, supported by both EU and non-EU partners, leveraging initiatives like the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) and BlueMissionMed, part of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters.”
In alignment with the objectives of UNOC3, the event will also serve as a launchpad for Italy’s new voluntary commitments to marine protection in the Mediterranean, including:
- A renewed financial and strategic commitment by MEES to support the Barcelona Convention, ensuring continuity of Italy’s leadership over the past decade;
- The promotion of a Blue Mediterranean Innovation Partnership, envisioned as a dynamic platform/community. This initiative, rooted in the European Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” and the Mediterranean Component of SBEP, aims to foster deeper regional cooperation among Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It will focus on marine protection, pollution reduction, ecosystem restoration, and the decarbonization of the blue economy.
This high-level side event emphasizes the importance of knowledge sharing, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and robust support mechanisms—including financial resources, technical assistance, and policy innovation—to drive meaningful environmental progress across the Mediterranean region.