The 2025 United Nations Conference is co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in Nice, France from 9 – 13 June 2025. Schmidt Ocean Institute is proud to be involved in several UNOC events. Look for us at “The Whale,” and these events during the week:
Tuesday 3 June – Friday 6 June
9 AM – 9 PM
One Ocean Science Congress
Organized in conjunction with Ifremer and CNRS, the One Ocean Science Congress will bring together 2,000 international scientists to deliver a summary on the health of the ocean and recommendations for action to heads of state and government. Explore themes and sessions here.
Wednesday 4 June
9 – 10 AM Port Lympia Room 4
One Ocean Science Congress Panel: Funding research at multi-levels to contribute to the objectives of the Ocean Decade
This session aims at showcasing how research funders can support reaching the 10 objectives of The Ocean science Decade through different mechanisms/funding instruments from regional to national to international cooperation and from fundamental to solution-oriented research. This research also contributes to UNSDG 14: Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development as well as to other UNSDGs such as those related to climate, biodiversity or equity. Panel members will address different scale of funding from national to international. Different international initiatives will be presented with information of new funding opportunities to contribute to develop research and innovation initiatives.
Thursday 5 June
4 – 5:30 PM | L’ Artistique
Artist-at-Sea Max Hooper Schneider: Creatures of Twilight
Organized in conjunction with the Becoming Ocean exhibition at Villa Arson, this event, entitled Becoming: Benthos, Creatures of Twilight, is the result of a collaboration between TBA21, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, and the Biennale des Arts et de l’Océan de Nice. This screening offers a sensitive and speculative exploration of the idea of ”becoming the ocean,” moving away from traditional human-centered references.
Sunday 8 June
2:30 – 5 PM | Vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl, sailing from Monaco to Nice
Ocean Decade Alliance, members meeting
Monday 9 June
2:45 – 3:30 PM | La Baleine – Orca
Side Event: The Transformative Power of Philanthropy in Oceanographic Research
The 2020 UN report, The Transformative Role of Foundations in the Ocean Decade, highlighted a group of Philanthropic Ocean Research Vessel Operators, now known as the Pink Flamingo Society (PFS). The PFS shares operational information and collaborates on common topics such as basic research, data sharing, education, outreach, and building long-term impact. Members work collectively to amplify each other’s efforts, engage local communities, and serve as a collaborative, impactful voice for ocean exploration and conservation for the benefit of all. The PFS Side Event will include short presentations highlighting their global impact on ocean exploration, open science, and innovation supported by philanthropy, and a discussion of future work in line with the implementation of SDG 14.
Monday 9 June
7 PM | Theatre de Verdure seaside amphitheater
Soirées in Nautilus Village
Reserve your spot for live performances each evening and gain access to Nautilus Village at Night, ticketed by voluntary contribution. Learn more here.
Tuesday 10 June
8:45 – 10 AM | Blue Zone, room 3
Innovation in Africa to Accelerate the Implementation of SDG 14 Globally
Tuesday 10 June
1 – 2 PM | Costa Rica Pavilion
Side Event: Advancement of Deep-Sea Science in Costa Rica with Schmidt Ocean Institute
This event will include an overview of Schmidt Ocean Institute’s three expeditions in Costa Rica, in 2019 and 2023, followed by a panel with scientists from Costa Rica to discuss the ways deep-sea science has advanced Costa Rica’s marine protections and informed its citizens of the importance of their deep-sea environment.
Tuesday 10 June
3 – 4 PM | Vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Port Lympia
Ocean Matcher Platform Launch
Join us during the 2025 United Nations Conference for a flagship event to celebrate the launch of our new Ocean Matcher platform, and discover how it will elevate ocean funding and impact through smart matchmaking!
Philanthropic foundations often lack the time and capacity to identify the best, most impactful projects to support, especially as concerns ocean science. Ocean Matcher is a new algorithm-driven online platform designed to connect ocean projects with philanthropic funding. Built by and for the Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue – the first global network of its kind, currently with over 30 institutions – the tool offers a solution by matching funders with a pipeline of high-quality initiatives aligned with Ocean Decade goals. Register here: https://www.
Tuesday 10 June
7 PM | Theatre de Verdure, seaside amphitheater
Soirées in Nautilus Village
Reserve your spot for live performances each evening and gain access to Nautilus Village at Night, ticketed by voluntary contribution. Learn more here.
Wednesday 11 June
8:30 – 10:30 AM | Vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Port Lympia
Tech & Innovation Day
Bringing together changemakers, global leaders, and investors to focus on transformative ocean solutions during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. Apply now to attend.
Wednesday 11 June
11 AM – 12:30 PM | Vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Port Lympia
Innovation in an Ocean World
Bringing together changemakers, global leaders, and investors to focus on transformative ocean solutions during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. Apply now to attend.
Wednesday 11 June
4 – 4:45 PM | Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen (CUM), 65 Promenade des Anglais
Powering Progress: Data, Skills, and Technology for the Ocean
Moderated by Schmidt Ocean Institute Executive Director Dr. Jyotika Virmani, who will be joined by:
- Mona Reithmeier, EOMAP
- Jérémie Maillet, Alcatel Submarine Networks
- Heather Koldewey, Zoological Society of London / Bertarelli Foundation
- Sam Harper, International Hydrographic Organization
Wednesday 11 June
6 – 9 PM | Vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Port Lympia
Tech & Innovation Mixer
Connecting people to explore high-impact opportunities.
Wednesday 11 June
7 PM | Theatre de Verdure seaside amphitheater
Soirées in Nautilus Village
Reserve your spot for live performances each evening and gain access to Nautilus Village at Night, ticketed by voluntary contribution. Learn more here.
Wednesday 11 June
8 PM – midnight | La Boulisterie Club, Rue Lascaris
Ocean and Society: Connecting Communication, Culture & Ocean Literacy
An Ocean Rising event co-hosted by Schmidt Ocean Institute, Nekton, and the Communicating Ocean Literacy Coalition
Thursday 12 June
12:30-1:30 PM | Scool Nice in Le Pin Hotel
Advancing the Ocean Enterprise within the Blue Economy
Organized by Marine Technology Society and the World Economic Forum
Thursday 12 June
3:30-4:15 PM | The Startup Reef, La Baleine
Innovation in an Ocean World
The event, organized under the auspices of the Technology and Innovation Working Group of the UN Decade of the Ocean, will feature a series of technology and innovation presentations, as well as reverse pitches, aligned with themes aimed at addressing key ocean-related challenges.
Thursday 12 June
7 PM | Theatre de Verdure seaside amphitheater
Soirées in Nautilus Village
Reserve your spot for live performances each evening and gain access to Nautilus Village at Night, ticketed by voluntary contribution. Learn more here.
Friday 13 June
12:45 – 1:30 PM | La Baleine – Salle Medusa
Side Event: Navigating New Waters: The Impact of the BBNJ Agreement on Marine Data and Sampling Acquisition and Sharing
The ratification of the BBNJ Agreement will mark a transformative shift in how ocean-based data is collected, managed, and shared. This event will feature a panel discussion to delve into the aspects of the agreement for at-sea data capture and sampling as well as post-expedition management, archival, and sharing. Panelists will explore the regulatory frameworks introduced by the agreement that affect these processes, with an eye toward implementation. The discussion will consider the requirements for standardized sampling procedures, data transparency, and sharing. We hope that by the end of the side event discussion, potential best practices, needed infrastructure, and necessary technological applications will be brought to light to effectively implement the agreement’s framework.
Friday 13 June
2 – 3:15 PM | Blue Zone, room 1
Achieving a Fully Mapped Seabed: A Call to Action
This interactive side event will look at solutions and how to drive momentum toward a fully mapped ocean. It will explore key opportunities and challenges across policy, finance, governance, technology, marine knowledge sharing, capacity building and more.
Friday 13 June
7 PM |Theatre de Verdure seaside amphitheater
Soirées in Nautilus Village
Reserve your spot for live performances each evening and gain access to Nautilus Village at Night, ticketed by voluntary contribution. Learn more here.
