The ocean plays a key role in the sustainable development of Latin America and the Caribbean by providing marine resources and services, sustaining marine biodiversity, contributing to food security, and generating employment in sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and maritime transport. More than 27% of the region’s population resides in coastal areas, and in 23 countries the marine territory exceeds the land area, underscoring its strategic importance for the economies and well-being of the region. However, overfishing, pollution, and the impacts of climate change, such as ocean warming and acidification, have degraded marine ecosystems, affecting their productivity, the resilience of coastal communities, and the livelihoods that depend on them.

In response to these challenges, the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), to be held in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025, will focus on "accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean." The Conference aims to promote urgent actions for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources, and to strengthen financing and cooperation mechanisms in line with Sustainable Development Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda.

In this context, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in collaboration with the Governments of Costa Rica and France, is organizing the Regional Blue Talk: Latin America and the Caribbean on the Road to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference 2025.

This virtual event aims to: 

• Provide a space for dialogue to identify priorities, share experiences, and formulate recommendations that contribute to building a shared regional vision 
• Jointly explore the main challenges in the sustainable management and use of the ocean and its resources, and generate inputs to strengthen marine governance in the region 
• Highlight subregional specificities and promote innovative and collaborative solutions 
• Serve as a preparatory space for the active participation of the region in UNOC 3.

Event format:

The session will feature three thematic panels addressing the core challenges under SDG 14: sustainable fisheries and ocean governance; the transition towards a sustainable blue economy in the context of climate change; and cooperation and governance for a clean and healthy ocean. Each panel will include a regional diagnostic presentation, interventions by government representatives, and a multi-stakeholder roundtable fostering strategic dialogue and the generation of concrete recommendations. The event will be held virtually and requires prior registration.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish and English.

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

• 10:00-14:00 (Chile time)
• 8:00-12:00 (Costa Rica time)
• 16:00-20:00 (France time)