At the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), held in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) translated France’s ocean priorities into concrete results. With eight strategic pillars, over €300 million committed, major new initiatives, and broad civic engagement, the AFD made a strong mark on the future of ocean protection.
The « Archipel » pavilion, located in the Green Zone, welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors throughout the week — including officials, students, artists, NGO representatives, and scientists — and hosted 50 events covering diverse ocean themes. A cultural highlight included the unveiling of The Ocean Manifesto, an art collection from the Métis Fund, uniting artists worldwide around their shared connection to the ocean.
Youth Engagement and Education Nearly 400 high school students participated in a large-scale environmental negotiation simulation, in partnership with the Nice Academy. AFD also released a new educational guide with the Ministry of National Education to help schools better understand ocean threats and take informed action. On Youth Day (June 12), the special « Seas and Ocean » prize was awarded as part of the « Reinventing the World » podcast competition.
AFD’s Eight Strategic Pillars at UNOC 2025
- High Seas and Biodiversity AFD pledged €1 million to the French Office for Biodiversity to help establish one of the world’s first high seas Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), between the Crozet Islands (French EEZ) and Prince Edward and Marion Islands (South African EEZ). This project supports the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement adopted in 2023 and could lead to the first BBNJ COP in 2026.
- Marine Protected Areas: North-South Alliances AFD signed a €1.8 million cooperation project between the Southern Region of France and Costa Rica, aiming to support MPA management and raise public awareness. A new €2.5 million contribution to the Blue Action Fund brought AFD’s total to €12.5 million for MPAs in developing countries.
- Sustainable Fisheries: Strengthening Resilience With a focus on artisanal fisheries, AFD announced the Kounki Project in Guinea (€119 million total, €24 million from AFD) to support fishers and coastal communities. Mexico’s CONAPESCA also announced a new fisheries refuge network, supported by AFD’s public policy loan.
- Plastic Pollution: Scaling Collective Action AFD and its partners launched COI 2.0 (Clean Ocean Initiative, Phase 2), committing an additional €3 billion from 2026–2030. With over €4 billion already mobilized since 2018, AFD remains the initiative’s largest contributor at 42%. The Asian Development Bank joined as a new partner.
- Maritime Transport: Supporting Port Transition AFD signed an MoU with Cape Verde to back its Blue Ports strategy, helping the country modernize its ports for climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
- Blue Finance: Aligning Public Development Banks At the Blue Economy Finance Forum (BEFF), 20 public financial institutions committed to expanding ocean-related finance and aligning with international standards. AFD also spotlighted its Blue Carbon Facility, supporting coastal ecosystems in Costa Rica, Tunisia, and Ecuador.
- Territorial Governance: Empowering Coastal Communities AFD supported the launch of a coastal cities and regions coalition with the City of Nice. It also reinforced efforts in cities like Cape Town, Porto-Novo, and Rio Grande to adapt to rising seas and coastal erosion.
- Science and Knowledge: Anchoring Policy in Research AFD promoted scientific research, hosting the « Overseas Perspectives » event on June 3 in Paris. It showcased two studies: a new Blue ESGAP methodology for blue accounting in Southeast Asia, and a training program for young researchers on marine chemical pollution.
