From 2nd to 13th of june, France and Costa Rica co-host the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference.
This is a major moment for Surfrider Europe to push for ambitious measures to ensure a healthy Ocean. It represents a pivotal opportunity to address ocean challenges including plastic pollution.
As a representative of the civil society, Surfrider Europe will be happy to present several events to address different isssues.
Tuesday, June 10,
10.30am to 11.45am
Room 5 (Blue Zone)
Language : ENGLISH
[HIGH LEVEL EVENT]
Combatting Marine Pollution, including Plastics, Through Innovative International Action – UNOC 3
Organized by Surfrider Foundation Europe, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency – Marine Environment Laboratory.
This high-level event will demonstrate how ambitious global environmental policies, innovative technologies, international networks and capacity building can jointly lead to a zero-pollution ocean.
Speakers
– Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General, IAEA
– Franz Tattenbach Capra, Costa Rican Minister for the Environment
– Heidi Savelli, UNEP Programme Officer, Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter
– Christina Dixon, Environmental Investigation Agency
– Bethanie Carney Almroth, Science Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty
– Martin Adams, Head of Environment Department, European Environment Agency
– Gaelle Haut, Head of Lobby, Surfrider Foundation Europe
– Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratory
– Pierre Bahurel, Managing Director, Mercator Ocean International
– Marc Metian, Researcher, IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories
– Niall McDonough, Director of Policy, Information and Research Services, NORMAN Network
Wednesday, June 4,
10.30 am
Next Generation Ocean Basecamp Pavilion – La Baleine (Green Zone
Language : FRENCH
Science & society: Participatory science
Agenda:
How can citizens contribute to scientific research?
This session highlights participatory science as a lever for mobilisation and knowledge to protect the ocean.
Speakers
– Clément Moreno (Surfrider Europe)
– Lilita Vong (Planète Mer)
– Tosca Ballerini (marine biologist and science journalist)
Moderator: Sabine Allou (Surfrider Europe)
Friday, June 6,
10.30am to 11.45am
Next Generation Ocean Basecamp Pavilion – La Baleine (Green Zone)
Language : FRENCH
Adaptation: Protecting, drawing inspiration from Blue Carbon
At a time when coastal erosion is already affecting a quarter of France’s coastline and marine flooding is on the increase, adaptation is no longer an option: it is becoming a political priority. This side-event will bring together members of parliament, local elected representatives and players in the field to identify the practical levers for resilient adaptation plans at all levels. The aim is to make adaptation a pillar of local climate policies, drawing on nature-based solutions and projects already underway such as Life Adapto+.
Agenda
– Introduction : Ocean & Climate Platform
– What adaptation strategies for coastal areas? (Conservatoire du littoral ; Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux)
– Governing adaptation: a global and sustainable strategy? (Sophie Panonacle ; Ville de Nice tbc)
– Discussion with the audience
– Conclusion: risks associated with adaptation – Rémy Moreau (Surfrider Foundation Europe)
Friday, June 6,
11.45am to 1pm
Next Generation Ocean Basecamp Pavilion – La Baleine (Green Zone)
Language : FRENCH
Blue carbon : stakes and challenges in the fight against climate change ?
This one-hour event aims to explore “blue carbon” ecosystems (seagrass beds, mangroves and salt meadows) and to question the use of blue carbon credits. These coastal ecosystems, threatened by human activity, play a crucial role in mitigating and adapting to climate change, while acting as natural bulwarks against erosion and preserving biodiversity.
Agenda
– Intro: Lou Le Treut (Surfrider Foundation Europe)
– Actions on mangroves and report on climate philanthropy – Alexandra (Planète Urgence)
– MPA funding and existing sources – Guillaume Leport (Blue Seeds)
– Study on the positioning of ‘blue carbon’ players – Rémy Moreau (Surfrider Foundation Europe)
– Discussion with the audience
Saturday, June 7, 12.30pm to 13.30pm
Next Generation Ocean Basecamp Pavilion – La Baleine (Green Zone)
Language : ENGLISH
Ocean Dialogue with Civil society – Breaking the Surface: First Reactions and Global Ripples of the EU Ocean Pact
The Blue NGOs coalition—BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, ClientEarth, Oceana in Europe, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe, and WWF European Policy Office—is pleased to invite you to attend the Ocean Dialogue with Civil Society. Taking place shortly after the anticipated release of the EU Ocean Pact, this timely event will bring together European decision-makers and leading civil society organisations for a dynamic discussion on the future of ocean governance and EU action on Ocean protection.
This one-hour moderated roundtable is expected to generate meaningful discussion and spotlight the EU’s role in global ocean leadership ahead of the formal start of the UNOC. 3.
Speakers
– Christophe Clergeau, Member of the European Parliament (confirmed)
– Representative from the European Commission (tbc)
– Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for the Green Transition, Forestry and Sea issues (confirmed)
– Gaëlle Haut, Surfrider Foundation Europe (confirmed)
– Cyrielle Goldberg, BirdLife Europe & Central Asia (confirmed)
– Nicolas Fournier, Oceana in Europe (confirmed)
– Flora McMorrin, Rise Up (confirmed)
– Geneviève Pons, Europe Jacques Delors (confirmed)
Agenda
– Roundtable Discussion
– Questions from the audience
Saturday, June 7,
2pm to 3 pm
Next Generation Ocean Basecamp Pavilion – La Baleine (Green Zone)
Language : FRENCH
What leadership France needs to carry for a healthy ocean?
A cross-section of views from French parliamentarians. This one-hour event aims to highlight France’s role and leadership in the fight against marine pollution, from the national framework – five years after the AGEC law – to its positioning on the international stage, particularly in the negotiations on the treaty against plastic pollution. The event is intended to be interactive and open, with balanced speaking time, questions from the public and youth associations, and a clear desire to bring out concrete proposals to be shared within the UNOC framework.
Agenda
– Introduction
– France, a leading country in the fight against marine pollution
– France’s role in the Plastics Treaty negotiations
– The AGEC Act: 5 years on, where does France stand?
– The directive, the need for France to go further and achieve its objectives
– Closing remarks
Tuesday, June 10,
10.15am to 11.30am
Next Generation Ocean Basecamp Pavillon – La Baleine (Green Zone)
Language : ENGLISH
Mediterranean Civil Society’s takes on the Plastic Crisis
This event will spotlight the experiences and lessons from the Mediterranean region, coinciding with Mediterranean Day on June 10th. It will feature a dynamic exchange among NGOs, community leaders, and local actors who are driving innovative, on-the-ground solutions to plastic pollution in the region.
Speakers
– Greg Lecoeur, photographer
– Lucile Courtial, Executive Secretary Beyond the Plastic Med
– Richard Semperé, Director AMU-Ocean Science Institute, Oceanographer, Organic Geochemist
– Lefteris Arapakis, Co-founder and Director of ENALEIA
– Amjed Khiareddine, Programme Manager,, Notre Grand Bleu
– Robin Degron, Director, Plan Bleu
Tuesday, June 10,
12am to 13am
Next Generation Ocean Basecamp Pavilion – La Baleine (Green Zone)
Language : ENGLISH
International action to end plastic pollution from Buzan to Nice and Geneva: what can citizens and NGOs do to accelerate negociations?
An open discussion space where citizens, civil society, and experts could come together to break down what’s really at stake in international negotiations — especially on the future Plastics Treaty (INC 5.2). This discussion will show how bottom-up initiatives can shape international efforts to end plastic production and deliver ambitious action at the source.
Speakers
– Lisa Pastor, Surfrider Foundation Europe
– Muriel Papin, No Plastic in my Sea
– Andrés del Castillo, CIEL
– CYMG UNEP group, name to be confirmed
– Meike Schutzek, Ocean. Now!
– Nathalie Van den Broeck, President of Surfrider Foundation Europe
Agenda
– OceanNow showing pictures of their exhibition on the impacts of marine pollution
– Quick recap of the Plastics Treaty and last round of negotiations
– Which role for international civil society organisations?
– How can youth organisations take part in the negociations?
– Which role for science in these arenas in this geopolitical context?
– Is the voice of the Ocean – unfortunate and ultimate deposit of our planet – being heard in negotiations? What are your expectations at UNOC?
– Closing Remarks
