Nice: With momentum building around ocean action at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, a high-level forum titled 'The Ocean Relay: From Nice to Abu Dhabi' emerged as a defining moment, convening global and regional leaders to map out a bold, coordinated path for marine and coastal health and sustainability.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was held at La Baleine at the Palais des Expositions de Nice and was convened in strategic partnership by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Republic of France. The forum, facilitated by MENA Oceans, an initiative by Goumbook, featured the official announcement of the Nice - Abu Dhabi Manifesto. This manifesto bridges outcomes from UNOC3 with the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in October 2025 and the UN Water Conference in the UAE in December 2026.
During the event, Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race, handed over Nature's Baton to Dr. Sheikha Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD. Nature's Baton is a symbol of the Relay4Nature joint initiative between Peter Thomson and The Ocean Race, which helps give the ocean a voice on critical issues affecting our planet at landmark events where decisions are made about the environment.
This pivotal event underscored the urgency of sustaining focus on ocean action beyond UNOC3 and aligning priorities to advance ecosystem health, foster a regenerative Blue Economy, and enhance interlinkages between critical nature agendas. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, the Global Vice Chair of SDG 14, emphasized the UAE's commitment to international cooperation. She noted that the collective future depends on unified action for oceans and expressed pride in the UAE's leadership role.
Barbara Pompili, France Ambassador for the Environment, reaffirmed France's dedication to ocean protection as a crucial climate regulator. She emphasized the longstanding partnership with IUCN in preserving ocean resources and the shared ambition to safeguard the ocean through the Nice - Abu Dhabi Manifesto.
Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director-General, highlighted the accountability to the commitments made in Nice. She stressed the importance of sustained commitment, credible, science-based action, and collaborative partnerships to achieve the 30x30 target. Tatiana Antonelli Abella, founder and managing director of Goumbook, emphasized the importance of sustained momentum for lasting progress and building collaborative pathways for ocean health and coastal resilience.
Following keynotes by Dr. Al Dhaheri and Minister Pompili, the panel discussion focused on transformative efforts and opportunities for global collaboration to advance ocean conservation efforts.
Among the forum's key outcomes were commitments to align ocean and water conservation priorities across global milestones, mobilize actors to accelerate progress on SDG14, and advance practical solutions for ocean health and coastal resilience.
Looking ahead towards Abu Dhabi, 'The Ocean Relay' and the commitments highlighted therein set the tone for actionable and forward-looking frameworks to deliver lasting change for ocean and coastal systems globally.