OceanCare to Participate in “Road to UNOC3” Panel at ChangeNOW 2025 Summit in Paris
High-profile panel at ChangeNOW Summit in Paris to be joined by OceanCare to advocate for ocean protection action ahead of the critical UN Ocean Conference in June.
PRESS RELEASE – 23 April 2025
OceanCare to Participate in “Road to UNOC3” Panel at ChangeNOW 2025 Summit in Paris
- Nicolas Entrup, Director International Relations at OceanCare, to join high-profile “Road to UNOC3” panel at ChangeNOW on Thursday, 24th April 2025, in Paris.
- Pivotal moment for ocean protection as governments negotiate the declaration for the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, this June.
- OceanCare advocates for stronger commitments in the UNOC3 declaration, including banning offshore oil and gas exploration, implementing mandatory vessel speed reduction and establishing a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
The prestigious ChangeNOW 2025 Summit, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to solutions for planetary challenges, will take place from 24-26 April at the Grand Palais in Paris. This special edition marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and serves as a critical springboard for action ahead of UNOC3 and UNFCCC COP30, bringing together 40,000 participants from 140 countries.
As the international community prepares for the crucial Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice this June, the high-profile “Road to UNOC3” panel will bring together leading ocean advocates and experts to discuss the critical challenges facing marine ecosystems and identify pathways for stronger global collaboration.
OceanCare is pleased to announce that Nicolas Entrup, Director of International Relations, will represent the organisation on this distinguished panel, joining legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle (Mission Blue), explorer Fabien Cousteau (Proteus Ocean Group), Joachim Claudet (CNRS), and Daniela Fernandez (Sustainable Ocean Alliance). The session will be moderated by CNN's Senior International Correspondent, Melissa Bell.
Nicolas Entrup , Director of International Relations at OceanCare, highlights:
“At a time when multilateralism faces unprecedented challenges, this panel represents a vital opportunity to build momentum for strong ocean protection measures ahead of the UN Ocean Conference. The current draft for the UNOC3 declaration lacks the ambition needed to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. We’re looking forward to generating, together with other participants of the ChangeNOW summit, the necessary momentum to ensure that in June, governments deliver concrete and ambitious commitments, not just diplomatic language.”
OceanCare’s “Because Our Planet Is Blue” initiative outlines six urgent actions needed to protect Ocean health, including banning new offshore fossil fuel exploration, implementing mandatory speed limits for ships, and establishing a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The organization is advocating for these measures to be incorporated into the final UNOC3 declaration.
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- Dániel Fehér, OceanCare Head of Press: +49 176 81434026; dfeher@oceancare.org
Notes to editors
ChangeNOW is a social enterprise that accelerates environmental and social transition by fostering the deployment of concrete solutions to the biggest challenges of our century. The annual ChangeNOW Summit brings together entrepreneurs, investors, thought leaders, and policymakers in an inspiring and action-oriented format. ChangeNOW 2025 will host 40,000 participants, 1,000 high-impact solutions, and representatives from 140 countries.
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) will be held in Nice, France, in June 2025. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, this high-level conference focuses on accelerating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). UNOC3 provides a crucial opportunity for governments to commit to concrete actions for ocean protection and address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
The Six Action Points of "Because Our Planet Is Blue"
OceanCare’s Because Our Planet Is Blue initiative calls for immediate action on six critical areas:
- Ban Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration: End new oil and gas exploration in marine environments and phase out existing hydrocarbon exploitation to protect marine life and combat climate change.
- Make Maritime Transport Sustainable: Implement mandatory vessel speed limits to reduce underwater noise, prevent ship strikes with marine mammals, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- End Destructive Fisheries: Ban bottom trawling and dredging in vulnerable marine habitats and areas where these methods harm threatened species.
- Address Plastic Pollution Comprehensively: Adopt legally binding measures to reduce plastic production and tackle pollution throughout the full lifecycle of plastics.
- Establish a Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium: Prevent deep-sea mining until scientific understanding of these ecosystems improves and environmental protections can be ensured.
- Support Ocean Recovery: Implement the High Seas Treaty and protect at least 30% of coastal and marine areas by 2030 through effective conservation measures.
These action points form the foundation of OceanCare's petition to global decision makers ahead of the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice this June, which has been signed already by over 85,000 citizens.
Open Letter: More than 100 NGOs Call for Ending Offshore Oil and Gas Exploitation
In April 2025, 111 civil society organisations co-signed an open letter initiated by OceanCare calling on governments to significantly strengthen the draft declaration for the upcoming UN Ocean Conference. The letter, supported by leading environmental NGOs from across the globe, highlights critical gaps in the current draft and urges negotiators to adopt more ambitious, science-based commitments.
The signatories express particular concern about the absence of concrete measures to address offshore oil and gas exploration, deep-sea mining, and destructive fishing practices. The letter emphasizes that without stronger language and specific timelines for action, the UNOC3 declaration risks becoming another missed opportunity at a time when the Ocean faces unprecedented threats.
The coalition of 111 organizations represents millions of supporters worldwide and demonstrates the broad global consensus on the need for urgent, transformative action to protect marine ecosystems and address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Publications
- OceanCare declaration: Because Our Planet Is Blue
- Open Letter from NGOs: “End Fossil Fuel Exploration in the Ocean” (with list of signatories)
- OceanCare Press Release (02/04/2025): Global Call on Governments to Commit Banning Offshore Fossil Fuel Exploration at UN Ocean Conference
- OceanCare Press Release (26/02/2025): Global Instability Highlights Need for Bold European Leadership on Ocean Protection
- OceanCare Press Release (08/06/2024): Because Our Planet Is Blue – international initiative launched
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About OceanCare
OceanCare is an international marine conservation non-governmental organisation, founded in Switzerland in 1989. The organisation pursues the protection and restoration of the marine environment and marine wildlife with a strong policy focus, combining research, conservation projects and education. OceanCare’s remit includes marine pollution, climate change, marine mammal hunting and the environmental consequences of fisheries. Its work is supported by a team of scientific, legal and policy experts, and involves strategic collaboration with civil society organisations and coalitions around the world. OceanCare is an officially accredited partner and observer to several UN conventions and other international fora. www.oceancare.org --
OceanCare Dániel Fehér, Head of Press Gerbestrasse 6 CH-8820 Waedenswil - Switzerland +49 176 81434026 dfeher@oceancare.org www.oceancare.org