Ocean Accounts @ UNOC3
Ocean Accounts at UNOC 3 - events and resources from GOAP Members and partners. Why ocean accounts are essential to measuring and managing sustainable ocean development
The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference
9-13 June 2025
Nice, France
Co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica
Themed “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”, the Conference drove urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
This page shares the events GOAP and the Secretariat are involved with, plus resources and contacts.
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UNOC 3 is now over. Read our key themes, outcomes and learnings.
Events at UNOC3 with GOAP
A day of #OceanAccounts June 10
In a world that has recognised oceans are essential to economic stability, food security, climate resilience, and cultural identity, it is time to fully account for its value.
UNOC Side Event (Blue Zone) | Delivering on the 2030 Sustainable Ocean Economy: Pledge to Develop Ocean Accounts by 2030 (ID: 27)
10 June 2025 | 8:45–10:00 | Room 2, Blue Zone
Organised by Portugal and co-organisers Costa Rica, Indonesia, Maldives, Norway, United Kingdom, OECD, World Bank and Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP).
This event showcased leadership in ocean accounting from around the world, with countries revealing lessons, drivers, and aspirations shaping future action globally. During the high-level panel, speakers Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Indonesia), Minister Alitia Bainivalu, Minister for Fisheries and Forests (Fiji), Emma Hardy, Minister for Water and Flooding (United Kingdom), Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy (Norway), Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation (Belize) demonstrated how ocean accounts are being translated into policy through roadmaps, standards, and data systems.
During the event, an additional 10 countries signed the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030, bringing the total country signatories to 18.
This was not just another panel—it was a call to action and a gateway into this global movement to build international alliances.
Costa Rica Pavilion (Green Zone) | Workshop on Accounting for Our Ocean: Tools, Stories, and Commitments
10 June 2025 | 14:00 - 17:00 | Costa Rica Pavilion, Green Zone
This three-hour open-access workshop provided a dynamic and inclusive platform to engage a broad audience in ocean accounting. Over [50] participants were given tailored training for policy and explored real-world demand and use cases for ocean accounting, such as economic dependency, social equity, and marine protected areas (MPAs).
During the event, an additional 6 organisations joined the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030, bringing the total signatories to 18 countries and 7 organisations by Day 2 of UNOC 3.
Ocean accounts outcomes
Costa Rica announced the Pledge to Develop Ocean Accounts by 2030 on the main stage at UNOC 3, with two high-level opportunities for governments and institutions to engage.
Ocean accounts in the News
A great way to end #UNOC3 | Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)
Ocean Accounts for Sustainable Development: Lessons from a Small Island State
#unoc3 #oceanaccounts #sidslead #fiji #unoc3 #oceanjustice | Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
✒️ ¡Comprometidos con las cuentas oceánicas! | FAICO Amigos Isla del Coco
#unoc3 #capitalnatural | Victor Caro Castro
GOAP secretariat staff at UNOC
GOAP Secretariat Director
The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)
UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform
International environmental lawyer specialising in ocean-climate solutions for zero-carbon transitions, sustainable ocean planning, natural resources governance. and policy and indigenous rights.
GOAP Secretariat Director
The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP)
UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform
Environmental economist with >15 yrs experience in policy and economics in 25 countries. Phil focuses on economic & social science aspects of ocean accounts, biodiversity & the blue economy.
Research Associate
UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform
Building synergy and knowledge for ocean accounts in Latin America and the Caribbean. Focusing on sustainable transformation strategies, community empowerment, biodiversity credits and management.
Research Associate
UNSW Centre for Sustainable Development Reform
Focusing on implementation and development policy and governance aligned with a sustainable ocean economy. Background in marine science and multi-sectoral partnerships.
Resources
What we heard, shared and saw delivered at the UN Ocean Conference
The Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030
Intro to the Pledge and how to sign
Joint Declaration: Pledge to advance Ocean Accounts by 2030
Signatories to the Pledge
Released June 9
What are Ocean Accounts?
Documents for download
Engaging with the Pledge at UNOC 3 (pdf)
A guide to taking the Ocean Accounts Pledge (pdf)
UNOC events by GOAP Members and partners
Blue Economy and Finance Forum (Monaco) June 7-8 - Costa Rica’s Ocean Accounts by 2030 Initiative
Costa Rica’s Ocean Accounts by 2030 Initiative see program
June 7 11:35 – 11:45am
Ambassador Gina Guillen, Costa Rica’s presidential special envoy for the ocean, will give some background on the featured initiative: Costa Rica is pioneering the world’s first integrated ocean account, combining environmental, economic, and social data to transform marine governance. By the end of 2025, it aims to publish its ocean accounts roadmap, complete pilot accounts, and expand global support through the 2030 Pledge.
Dr. Phil James, Global Ocean Accounts Partnership, will then provide insight on the operational considerations behind the implementation of this initiative, and on the findings of the GOAP’s publication “No hidden catch - Mainstreaming values of small-scale fisheries in national accounts”
Towards 100% Sustainable Coastal Management for a Resilient Blue Economy - Insights from a joint India - Norway Project on Marine Spatial Planning
8 June 09:00 - 10:30 | S/S Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Quai Port Hercule, Monaco
Lead organisers: Government of Norway and India
This session will showcase insights from the pilot Marine Spatial Plans for the Union Territory of Puducherry, India, highlighting innovative tools and methodologies that can be applied to coastal and ocean regions in developing spatial plans. It will also explore the diverse choices and challenges faced by different states and regions in implementing sustainable ocean planning. The INECO project (Indo-Norwegian Collaboration Project on Ecosystem Services and Accounting), part of the Indo Norwegian Blue Economy Task Force, will showcase ongoing work with respect to the first marine ecosystem accounting pilot it in India (Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary) following the System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA).
GOAP Members involved: Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA)
The Launching of Indonesia’s Coral Bond and Its Underlying Strategic Activities
11 June 14:00 - 15:15 | Room 3, Blue Zone
Organisers: Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia, World Bank, Global Environment Facility, BNP Paribas, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
This event is soft launch of Indonesia Coral Bond Project and to share of perspectives and experiences from various stakeholders in sustainable ocean management.
GOAP Members involved: GOAP Co-Chair, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia
The 100% Alliance: Global Ocean, Global Goal
12 June 14:00 - 15:15 | Room 3, Blue Zone
Organisers: World Resources Institute, Government of Chile, Norway, Palau, France
This event will explore why 100% sustainable ocean management is crucial to safeguarding key ecosystems and securing a more equitable and prosperous future.
GOAP Members involved: GOAP Co-Chair, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia
Improving the Integration of Blue Carbon Ecosystems into Global and European Regulatory Frameworks
12 June 11:00 - 12:30 | S/S Statsraad Lehmkuhl Ship, Nice
Organisations: UNESCO-IOC, the International Partnership for Blue Carbon (IPBC), the JPI Oceans Knowledge Hub on Blue Carbon (Euro-BC), and the C-BLUES project
This event will bring together policymakers, researchers, and international organisations to explore pathways for improving the monitoring and integration of blue carbon habitats into international and European regulatory frameworks. It will address key regulatory challenges, showcase emerging solutions (including innovative financing mechanisms), and identify opportunities for scaling blue carbon initiatives. It will also highlight the role of cross-sectoral partnerships, such as the IPBC and Euro-BC. The event will feature presentations, a panel discussion, and a light lunch at the end of the event.
GOAP Members involved: Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA)
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