UNOC 2025: A crucial conference for the future of the ocean and coral reefs.
- Martin Colognoli
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
The next United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) will be held in Nice in 2025. This global event represents a key moment to strengthen actions to protect the oceans, particularly coral reefs, which are threatened by climate change. As science sounds the alarm, political commitments and collective initiatives become essential to preserve marine biodiversity. This article explores the challenges of UNOC 2025, with a particular focus on the situation of corals and the contribution of civil society, notably through the experience shared during the 24h MARRES.
What is UNOC?
A global conference for the ocean
The UNOC, or United Nations Ocean Conference, is an international summit bringing together governments, scientists, NGOs, economic actors, and representatives of civil society. Its objective: to advance Sustainable Development Goal 14, which aims to "conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources."
Since its first edition in 2017 in New York, then in 2022 in Lisbon, the UNOC has established itself as an essential meeting for global ocean governance.
Objectives of the 2025 edition in Nice
In 2025, France and Costa Rica will co-host this conference in Nice. Discussions will focus on:
reducing plastic pollution,
the protection of the high seas,
strengthening funding for marine protected areas,
the integration of local and scientific knowledge.
The climate emergency, the consequences of rising temperatures on marine ecosystems, and nature-based solutions will be at the heart of the debates.
Why UNOC 2025 is crucial for coral reefs
The state of the world's coral reefs
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but are home to approximately 25% of marine biodiversity. They provide natural storm barriers, vital fisheries reserves, and culturally significant sites for many coastal communities.
Today, according to IPCC estimates, up to 90% of tropical reefs could disappear by 2050 , if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced.
Threats linked to climate change
Massive coral bleaching, caused by warming waters, is intensifying. Added to this are ocean acidification, plastic pollution, overfishing, and uncontrolled coastal development. These combined pressures are making it increasingly difficult for reefs to maintain their resilience.
The importance of international political commitments
The UNOC provides a platform to formalize global commitments. In 2022, several countries joined the "30x30" coalition to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. In 2025, the challenge will be to transform these commitments into concrete and funded actions , particularly in the most sensitive areas such as the Indo-Pacific region and the Mediterranean.
The role of scientists and civil society
The role of scientists and civil society
Scientists repeatedly point out that reefs are early indicators of ocean health . They respond quickly to disturbances and can detect the effects of global change.
The latest reports from the IPCC and IPBES emphasize the crucial role of reefs in maintaining marine biodiversity and regulating the coastal climate.
From local initiatives to global recommendations
Many NGOs, such as Coral Guardian, Sulubai Foundation, and Reef Check, are carrying out restoration and awareness-raising activities. These efforts, often originating from civil society or local communities, deserve international recognition.
UNOC is an opportunity to promote these "field-based" solutions, which are often innovative, participatory and culturally rooted.
The involvement of committed artists and photographers
Among the notable speakers of recent years, committed artists use photography and storytelling to reconnect the public with the fragile beauty of the reefs.
It is in this spirit that I participated in the 24h MARRES (Master MARine REsources – UCA), a day of meetings between researchers, decision-makers, artists and citizens. I presented my photographic project Coral Rebirth , mixing visual art, scientific data and field testimonies. This experience showed that artistic emotion can become a powerful lever for environmental action .
What UNOC could change for corals
The question of financing conservation
Reef protection requires resources. Restoring one hectare of reef costs between €100,000 and €500,000, depending on the methods used. Yet, less than 0.01% of global climate funding is allocated to coral reefs.
UNOC could initiate a global financial mechanism , combining public funds, philanthropy and private contributions.
Nature-based solutions
Reefs can also be part of the solution. They mitigate the effects of climate change by storing carbon, slowing coastal erosion, and supporting food security for millions of people.
Recognizing these services provided to society would make it possible to integrate reefs into climate adaptation policies.
An agenda for 2030 and beyond
UNOC 2025 must be a strategic step. It can consolidate a coherent international agenda , with monitoring indicators, shared governance, and support for the most vulnerable countries.
The final declaration, expected in Nice, will have to affirm a clear political will to save the reefs and put an end to the erosion of marine biodiversity.
Conclusion: The ocean needs allies
Coral, sentinel and symbol of the climate emergency
Coral is much more than a marine animal. It's a symbol of interconnected life on Earth. Fragile yet essential, threatened yet full of hope, it reminds us that our destiny is linked to that of marine ecosystems.
Call for collective action
UNOC 2025 can mark a turning point. But it will not be enough without the involvement of all stakeholders: states, businesses, researchers, citizens, artists. Everyone can take action. At their own level.
As one student pointed out during the 24h MARRES event: "Protecting coral means protecting our future." It's time to make this statement a shared reality.
🔗 To go further
📘 IPCC (2023). Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report . IPCC.
📗 IPBES (2019). Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services .
🐠 Coral Guardian – www.coralguardian.org
📸 Coral Rebirth Project – martincolognoli.com
🎓 UCA – MARRES MSc – https://univ-cotedazur.eu/msc/marres
Scientific references
IPCC. (2023). Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report . Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
IPBES. (2019). Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services .
Hughes, TP et al. (2017). Global warming and recurrent mass bleaching of corals. Nature , 543(7645), 373–377.
Hoegh-Guldberg, O. et al. (2018). Impacts of 1.5°C global warming on natural and human systems. IPCC Special Report .
Spalding, M.D., Burke, L., Wood, S.A., Ashpole, J., Hutchison, J., & zu Ermgassen, P. (2017). Mapping the global value and distribution of coral reef tourism. Marine Policy , 82, 104–113.
Duarte, CM, Losada, IJ, Hendriks, IE, Mazarrasa, I., & Marbà, N. (2013). The role of coastal plant communities for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Nature Climate Change , 3(11), 961–968.
