(NEWS) WMU at the UN Ocean Conference 2025

June

2025

WMU at the UN Ocean Conference 2025

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From 9 to 13 June, the World Maritime University (WMU) actively participated in the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the high-level gathering convened global leaders under the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.”

The WMU delegation was led by President Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., who emphasized the University’s commitment to supporting the International Maritime Organization and Member States through maritime and ocean education, research, and capacity development. “WMU is committed to ocean conservation and to taking action that ensures we respect and preserve the ocean—our planet’s lifeblood—which provides us with vital living and non-living resources, and connects us all and sustains the global economy through shipping. We must remain steadfast in our collective efforts to steward this vital resource wisely, as the future of humanity and all life on Earth depends on it,” said President Mejia.

As an official UNOC supporter, the WMU–Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (WMU-GOI) co-hosted three Side Events on 13 June in the Conference’s Blue and Green Zones:

Accelerating Sustainability: Transforming Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries and Aquaculture Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (FAO GFCM), the high-level panel was moderated by Professor Ronán Long, Director of the WMU-GOI. The event highlighted regional cooperation, launched the GFCM Voluntary Ocean Commitment, and mobilized sustainability pledges from key stakeholders.

Charting the Future: BBNJ and Ocean Governance Solutions for the Triple Planetary Crisis
Organized by the WMU-GOI, this roundtable explored solutions to the triple planetary crisis, including biodiversity protection, legal reforms, and technology for marine data sharing. WMU speakers included Dr Zhen Sun and Dr Tafsir Matin Johansson with representatives from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Sargasso Sea Commission, and Institute of Marine Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago.

Dive into Action: Uniting Ocean Ambassadors for a Sustainable Future
Co-organized with Positive Vibes Only (PVO) Expeditions and OECS, the WMU-GOI team contributed to a creative public workshop at “La Baleine” that blended ocean literacy and engagement through art, music, virtual reality, and interactive activities, encouraging multi-generational participation.

Throughout the week, WMU-GOI experts also contributed to several partner events. Professor Ronán Long spoke at sessions hosted by the MarViva Foundation on Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas, the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (UN DOALOS) and the United Nations Nippon Foundation Fellowship (UNNF) on capacity development, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)/University of Gothenburg on marine restoration, and the United Nations Mediterranean Shipping Company (UN MSC) Foundation on ocean literacy in the maritime sector. Dr Tafsir Matin Johansson participated as a speaker in the Lloyd’s Register Foundation panel on engineering solutions for a sustainable ocean economy, and Dr Aspasia Pastra contributed as a speaker to The Economist – World Ocean Initiative event on technological innovation for ocean health.

The week-long engagement reflected WMU’s deep commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and supporting global ocean governance through education, research, and multi stakeholder partnerships.

The conference outcome document recognized the vital role of maritime transport, infrastructure, and routes in global trade, food and energy security, and the urgent need to cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the sector.

For more information, photos, and updates, visit the Future Ocean Programme and BBNJ Clinic Programme websites.

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About the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC)

The 2025 UNOC, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, brings together governments, the UN, civil society, academia, the private sector, and Indigenous Peoples to promote ocean solutions and accelerate implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.

About the Future Ocean Programme

Funded by The Nippon Foundation, the Future Ocean Programme explores how law, political science, and public policy can transform humanity’s relationship with the ocean to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.

About the BBNJ Clinic Programme

Jointly supported by Ireland and WMU-GOI, the BBNJ Clinic assists Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in ratifying and implementing the BBNJ Agreement. The Clinic offers legal and policy support to ensure inclusive participation in ocean governance.

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