International Ocean Governance: Challenges Beyond UNOC 2025

16 sept. | Cycle "Oceans: common heritage, shared challenges"

Tuesday

September

2025

6:30 pm

8:30 pm

Vignette de la séance n°5 du cycle "Océans : héritage commun, défis partagés"

After the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference: What Are the Challenges for Ocean Governance? An in-depth look at the progress made and the implementation challenges of the Nice Ocean Action Plan.

The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), held in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025, is intended to mark a decisive turning point in global ocean governance. Its ambition: to accelerate the conservation and sustainable use of marine areas in line with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14). Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the conference concluded with the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a strategic document combining a political declaration with a series of voluntary commitments.

This session will offer an in-depth analysis of UNOC 3’s outcomes and examine the concrete challenges now facing all stakeholders involved. Our speakers will review the major advances linked to the three main priorities of the conference: finalising multilateral processes, mobilising finance, and strengthening scientific knowledge.

They will highlight both the opportunities and obstacles related to the implementation of the Nice Action Plan, as well as the specific responsibilities of governments, international organisations, private sector actors, and civil society in upholding the commitments made.

This fifth meeting in the series will bring together Ashok Adicéam, Delegate General of the UN Ocean Conference at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Martin Alessandrini, Head of Advocacy and International Cooperation at the Tara Ocean Foundation, and Julia Tasse, Director of Research at IRIS.

Mélanie Chalandon, producer of the ‘Culture Monde’ serie on France Culture, will host the meeting.

https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/gouvernance-internationale-de-locean-les-defis-post… Register

Speakers

Ashok Adicéam is the General Delegate of the Nice Ocean 2027 Mission and has directed the international mobilisation of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. With over 30 years' experience in diplomacy, philanthropy and directing major world events on four continents, he has headed major cultural and scientific institutions and advised on ocean, climate and polar diplomacy.

Martin Alessandrini is Advocacy and International Cooperation Officer at the Tara Ocean Foundation, where he works to raise awareness and mobilise decision-makers in support of ocean protection. His focus areas include policies related to coral reefs and plastic pollution, and he regularly speaks at international conferences and events on ocean-related issues. He is an environmental engineer specialising in marine ecosystems, with a background in political science.

Julia Tasse is director of research at IRIS and head of the Ocean Programme. She is a member of the scientific committee of the Observatoire Défense et Climat, run by IRIS. Her research focuses on the links between security, climate and maritime affairs. She has worked on maritime issues for international organisations such as the FAO and the French Development Agency. Julia Tasse also runs a degree in international relations at IRIS Sup' and sits on the editorial board of La Revue internationale et stratégique.

Mélanie Chalandon presents the international current affairs programme "Cultures Monde" every Friday at 11am on France Culture. She has worked for France Culture for some fifteen years, mainly on current affairs programmes (Matinale, Débats). She has a passion for geopolitics and comic strips, and hosted the "Culture BD" programme for two summer seasons.