The 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, concluding on the 13th June, contributed key moments in global ocean action: more than 170 countries adopted a strong political declaration to protect and sustainably use the ocean, emphasising global commitment and multilateral cooperation. It also highlighted the vital role of science in shaping effective ocean policy and gave new momentum to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), which aims to protect ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The International Ocean Institute took part in and contributed to the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), through the delegation made up of Antonella Vassallo (Managing Director) and Cosmin Chivu (Project Officer) who both delivered substantive contributions to the goals of the UNOC3, through participation in several events focused on ocean governance, capacity development, ocean literacy, and the empowerment of Early Career Ocean professionals (ECOPs). Through these engagements, the IOI continued to highlight its long standing mission to create ocean leadership and the support of essential networks connecting the international cohort of IOI Alumni and other IOI partners.
IOI’s Engagements at UNOC3:
🔹 9 June | Side Event (Blue Zone)
Approaching an Intelligent and Inspiring Ocean: New Science-Based Actions for Sustainable Futures
Antonella Vassallo spoke at this side event hosted by partners including the National Marine Data and Information Service (China and the host institute of the IOI China Training Centre), Mercator Ocean International, and the Global Ocean Observing System. 🔗Event link In her intervention, Antonella highlighted the pivotal role of capacity development in achieving a more effective and inclusive approach to ocean governance. She underscored that while scientific advancement and digital tools are essential for informed decision-making, empowering individuals and institutions through sustained education and training is equally critical to bridge the science-policy interface.
🔹 10 June | Side Event (Green Zone)
Trade, Innovation, and Capacity Building: Engaging Early Career Ocean Professionals in a Sustainable Blue Economy
Side event, co-organised by the International Ocean Institute (IOI), and the UN Decade ECOP Programme
This event aimed to explore how Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) can be supported and empowered through capacity development to contribute meaningfully to a sustainable and inclusive Blue Economy, through trade, entrepreneurship and innovation.🔗 Event link
The session was structured around two dynamic fireside chats. The first panel, moderated by Evgeniia Kostianaia (Global Coordinator, ECOP Programme), brought together experts in governance, diplomacy, and sustainable trade. Antonella Vassallo participated as a speaker, sharing insights on the role of capacity development and ocean literacy in supporting ECOPs to navigate and shape ocean governance frameworks. She was joined by Ludovic Arnaud, Associate Economic Affairs Officer at UNCTAD, who highlighted the importance of inclusive and sustainable trade systems in unlocking the potential of the Blue Economy, particularly through support to ECOP-led entrepreneurship and innovation. François Bailet, Senior Legal Officer and Coordinator of the Capacity-Building and Trust Funds unit at UNDOALOS, emphasised the need for legal and institutional frameworks that not only engage developing countries but also create meaningful space for early career professionals within multilateral ocean governance processes. Each speaker offered complementary perspectives on international legal frameworks, trade policy, and capacity development, while underscoring the importance of intergenerational inclusion and long-term investment in ECOP empowerment.
The second panel, moderated by Cosmin Chivu, focused on ECOP-led innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighting practical pathways for early career professionals to drive sustainable solutions within the Blue Economy. Inés Mas de la Peña, Programme Manager at Climate-KIC and Co-lead of ECOP Spain, spoke about her experience supporting youth-led innovation in East Africa and Europe, emphasising the value of combining scientific knowledge with local know-how to foster contextually relevant and community-driven initiatives. Daniel Kleinman, Founder and CEO of Seaworthy Collective, discussed how systems thinking, mentorship, and accessible support structures can help bridge the gap between ocean science and entrepreneurship, particularly for ECOPs launching ventures outside established innovation hubs. Herland Cerveaux, Managing Director at OceanHub Africa, shared insights from his work with accelerators and innovation programmes across the African continent and the Indian Ocean, stressing the importance of embedding sustainability, equity, and resilience into the DNA of ocean start-ups from the outset. Together, the panellists showcased real-world examples of ECOP leadership, and highlighted the urgent need for investment, mentorship, and enabling policies to scale inclusive ocean innovation that could underpin a sustainable Blue Economy.
🔹 11 June / Side Event (Aboard RV Meteor)
From Strategy to Action: Mobilizing Partnerships for Ocean Capacity Development
During this side event, Antonella Vassallo emphasised the importance of equity and inclusiveness in capacity development, underscoring the need to remove financial and structural barriers that limit access to knowledge and training opportunities. She highlighted IOI’s long-standing work in this field, including its global Capacity Development and Alumni programmes, as examples of practical, people-centred initiatives that foster meaningful participation across regions and sectors.
🔹 11 June | Fishbowl Discussion (Aboard RV Meteor)
Bridging Ocean Realities: Perspectives from Early Career and Established Ocean Professionals
Cosmin Chivu participated as a panellist in this dynamic Fishbowl discussion, sharing insights from IOI’s training work and the perspective of early career ocean professionals. Drawing on the IOI Ocean Academy’s experience, he emphasised how zero-cost, locally adapted education in local languages empowers communities to become informed actors in ocean governance. He also stressed the importance of intergenerational dialogue, recognising the complementary strengths of Early and Experienced Ocean Professionals in creating sustainable, long-lasting impact. 🔗 Event link
🔹 12 June | Side Event (Green Zone)
Right Right Right! Widening Ocean Literacy to Support the Ocean Sustainability Transition
Antonella Vassallo contributed to the discussion by highlighting the critical role of inclusive and regionally relevant ocean literacy strategies in supporting the transition to sustainable ocean governance. She emphasised that effective ocean literacy must go beyond information dissemination, empowering individuals and communities to understand their connection to the ocean and to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. Drawing from IOI’s global training programmes and the IOI Ocean Academy, she underscored the need for context-specific approaches that respect cultural and regional diversity, while also promoting a shared understanding of ocean-climate interlinkages. Her intervention called for greater investment in capacity development and for multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure that ocean literacy efforts contribute to just, informed, and forward-looking governance of ocean resources.
🔹 12 June | Ocean Futures 2030:
Addressing the Gaps in Implementing the BBNJ Agreement
Cosmin Chivu delivered an intervention highlighting the critical role of capacity development as a cross-cutting enabler for the effective implementation of the new High Seas Treaty. Drawing on the legacy of UNCLOS—where capacity-building commitments often lacked sufficient funding, coordination, and long-term support—he emphasised that the BBNJ Agreement must do better by embedding inclusive, needs-based, and sustained capacity development frameworks from the outset.
🔹 13 June | Prize Ceremony "Navigating the BBNJ Agreement" Hackathon (Green Zone)
This event celebrated and recognised the outstanding contributions of participants in the "Navigating the BBNJ Agreement" video hackathon; a pre-UNOC event in which the IOI was a collaborating partner. The event recognized the top videos created to advocate for inclusive ocean governance and support the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement. Winners were celebrated for their creativity and impactful storytelling, which will be used in global campaigns to raise awareness and inspire action on the protection of the high seas. IOI is proud to support the excellent work of the winning Hackathon teams through provision of prizes to the top three teams. Congratulations to the winning teams and well done to all participants!
IOI Alumni Reunion on the fringes of the 2025 Ocean Decade Conference
One particularly memorable aspect of this conference was the now habitual Informal Get-Together of IOI Alumni held on the fringes of the significant global conferences worldwide. The event held during UNOC3 was held on the evening of 11th June at La Favola Restaurant and the gathering provided a unique opportunity for former participants of the IOI’s training programmes to reconnect and forge new connections with the global IOI family. The IOI delegation and [18] IOI Alumni and IOI Ocean Academy Directors from various corners of the globe exchanged warm greetings and shared tales of their Ocean related work since their graduation from the IOI training programmes. The Informal Get-Together of IOI Alumni and partners served as a reminder of the power of community and collaboration in driving positive change for our Ocean.
Conclusion:
IOI's engagement at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference underscored the IOI mission dedication to fostering Ocean leadership in governance, literacy, inclusivity, and capacity development. By actively participating in side events and sharing expertise, IOI contributed to the collective efforts aimed at supporting the implementation of Agenda 2030, most especially SDG14, contributing to realising the vision of the Ocean Decade and proactively working to protect and sustain a thriving, sustainable Ocean for present and future generations. The IOI remains committed to advancing Ocean stewardship and empowering individuals worldwide to champion Ocean governance and sustainable development.