Issued by the International Scientific Committee of the One Ocean Science Congress (3-6 June, Nice, France), these recommendations to the Heads of State and Government aim to help shape discussions taking place during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (9-13 June, Nice, France) and to serve as a framework for action, to ensure that science remains at the heart of efforts to secure a sustainable future for the ocean and humanity.
The Ocean is a global common good, essential to sustaining life and prosperity on Earth through its vast biodiversity and critical ecosystem services. Scientists aim at delivering relevant, timely, and evidence-based guidance to decision-makers as they address global ocean challenges, including the impacts of, and solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. At this critical juncture for our planet, there is a need to establish and nurture close interactions between scientists and decision-makers, across diverse value systems, including Indigenous and local knowledge, to advocate for science-based policies that promote long-term ocean sustainability, engage the public, foster inclusiveness, and stimulate innovation through interdisciplinary research.
Grounded in scientific evidence, 10 thematic recommendations, aligned with the Ocean Action Panels1, aim to shape discussions at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference. These recommendations are outlined below, with specific actions detailed in the following sections.