Saving Dying Oceans: ENMC at 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference [REPORT]
By Marek Grzybowski
The previous appeals and actions of the UN and leading maritime states have failed. Loud appeals and discussion panels end in conference rooms, and life in the oceans is disappearing. The destruction of the environment has reached an alarming pace. It is not only climate change that is causing life on 70% of our globe to disappear at an unprecedented rate. The predatory exploitation of the seas and coasts by humans, illegal fishing and environmentally destructive shipping, the development of infrastructure on the coasts, the massive littering of oceans, estuaries and coasts is an irreversible phenomenon.
In the second week of June, the third United Nations Conference on Saving the Oceans took place. The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was organized by the UN and the governments of France and Costa Rica. It took place in Nice and began with strong appeals to accelerate action and mobilize all states and entities to protect and sustainably use the seas and oceans.
– I call on all countries to make bold commitments – UN Secretary General António Guterres appealed once again in his speech opening the conference and sounded the alarm: “We live in times of confusion”. He tried to end his speech with an optimistic thread: “the determination I see here gives me hope. It is hope that we will be able to turn the tide.”
We need to revitalize multilateralism
French President Emmanuel Macron, also speaking at the opening ceremony, echoed this sentiment. Macron urged: “We need to revitalize multilateralism behind the UN Secretary General,” adding that “the only way to address this challenge is to mobilize all the players, the heads of state and government speaking here, but also the scientists.”
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles said that “this summit must be remembered as the time when the world understood that taking care of the ocean is not just an option. It is more of a moral issue, an economic issue, and we really need minimum protection.”
The conference in Nice once again brought together world leaders, scientists, representatives of the private sector, civil society and local communities. Once again, this high-level meeting highlighted the crucial role of the ocean in regulating the climate, maintaining food and livelihood security and preserving biodiversity.
Seeing the seas and oceans as a place to do business is proving to be detrimental to the oceans themselves. And the most damaging to this environment are those who exploit it without restrictions. These include shipping companies. Many ships leave port without respecting basic environmental standards. In addition, there is the activity of shadow fleets and ships transhipping oil in closed waters.
These include tourist operators, whose activities have moved from tourist ports to Arctic and Antarctic waters. These include private owners of plastic yachts, hundreds of which have moored in Nice’s marinas. These include fishermen who poach on a massive scale.
Clusters in ocean protection
The ocean is coming under increasing pressure not only from climate change, but above all from human activity. There are negative feedback loops, with record temperature rises seriously affecting marine life, and growing threats from pollution, overfishing and loss of biodiversity putting marine ecosystems on the path to collapse.
A comprehensive approach is needed. This was highlighted by representatives of the European Network of Maritime Clusters (ENMC) during the 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺, which was a side event of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). The main idea of the meeting was: “𝙀𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣”. During the conference, attention was paid mainly to how the actions of governments, maritime clusters and maritime industries can reduce the negative impact on the marine environment and coasts.
Nathalie Mercier-Perrin, president of the Cluster Maritime Français (CMF), in her opening speech, emphasized that protecting the ocean environment is at the forefront of the activities of the French Maritime Cluster. This activity is in the essential interest of the state and business, because “the French blue economy has become a significant element of our national economy, directly contributing to France’s sovereignty in the areas of food, energy and health care.”
The thought of the president of CMF Mercier-Perrin, continued the presidents of European maritime clusters during the expert discussion on the topic: “𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩?”
Experts panel on sustainable maritime business
The expert panel of the European Network of Maritime Clusters tried to find an answer to the question: What challenges do maritime industries face in managing the sustainable use of oceans? Leading managers of European maritime clusters participated in it – informs the ENMC in a press release: Fabrice Maire, Chairman of the ENMC, Javier Garat Pérez, President of Clúster Marítimo Español, Marek Grzybowski President of the Baltic Sea & Space Cluster, Mario Mattioli, President of the Federazione del Mare, Pierre Leonidas, Deputy Director responsible for public affairs of the Cluster Maritime Français and Ruben Eiras, Secretary General of Fórum Oceano.
Fabrice Maire, Chairman of the ENMC, drew attention to the need for a comprehensive implementation of the European Commission’s Ocean Pact. The European Commission’s Ocean Pact, announced as part of the political guidelines for 2024-2029, aims to strengthen the protection and restoration of oceans. It includes a range of actions, including supporting member states in restoring degraded marine habitats. The Oceans Pact focuses on “developing a sustainable blue economy, supporting coastal and island communities, strengthening maritime security, and developing ocean research and international ocean diplomacy.”
Importantly, the Pact also includes information on financial resources and tools necessary to implement the task packages. In the European Network of Maritime Clusters, policy meets practice. Our 11 national key maritime clusters constitute a bridge between European commitments concerning oceans and regional activities in the development of innovation in maritime industries – emphasized Fabrice Maire in his introductory speech to the discussion and noted that “we are ready to implement the Pact in the form of concrete actions of European maritime clusters”.
Clusters implement the “Pact for the Oceans”
– The Spanish Maritime Cluster (CME) is an organization that brings together different industries, services and economic activities related to the sea in Spain. Its main objective is to promote cooperation and collaboration between these entities in order to drive the development of the Spanish maritime sector – said Javier Garat Pérez, President of Clúster Marítimo Español. CME represents the efforts to unify and strengthen the Spanish maritime sector, promoting innovation, sustainable development and competitiveness in the blue economy.
The organization seeks to be a meeting point and forum for dialogue between the different stakeholders in the sector, from the maritime and port industry to fisheries and maritime tourism. The cluster coordinates research and development in key areas for the blue economy. The Spanish Maritime Cluster focuses on the coordination and promotion of the Spanish maritime sector, and in the global dimension, it works to ensure sustainable development and competitiveness at national and international level.
– The Federazione del Mare is a cluster that brings together the activity of Italian maritime clusters – said President Mario Mattioli. The activity of maritime industries in Italy produces goods and services worth 34 billion euros and generates about 2% of GDP. Importantly, it ensures the functioning of other sectors of the economy producing products and services worth 20 billion euros. Companies operating in the Federazione del Mare provide employment to 530 thousand people. Therefore, the sustainable development of maritime industries and ports, maritime security and defence, sustainable shipping are among the important areas of the cluster’s activity.
Cluster Maritime Français (CMF) is an organization that brings together all participants in the French maritime ecosystem in order to promote sustainable and responsible maritime activities. The cluster works for the sustainable development of maritime industries in France and overseas territories – emphasizes Pierre Leonidas, deputy director responsible for public affairs of the CMF. The organization is a platform of French institutions related to the use of the oceans. It supports its members in the development of projects, both in France and internationally. CMF focuses on the development and implementation of innovations in France’s maritime industries.
Business, research, innovation
The main activities of Fórum Oceano are strongly focused on the implementation of the tasks that are included in the Pact for Oceans and include promoting research and development of new technologies, facilitating access to financing and investment, and supporting the internationalization of companies and institutions in the sector – said Ruben Eiras, Secretary General of Fórum Oceano. The organization brings together over 160 active members from various sectors. The Portuguese Maritime Cluster includes companies, business associations, higher education and training institutions, technology centers, local government organizations that play a key role in the development of the country’s maritime economy.
The Baltic Sea & Space Cluster (BSSC) is a key cluster in the Baltic Sea region and operates in the Pentagon Helix formula – explained Marek Grzybowski, President of the Baltic Sea and Space Cluster. The cluster works for the sustainable development and building a competitive advantage of the maritime industries of the Baltic region, in which the Polish maritime industries have a significant position.
Polish seaports are among the leading ports in the region, the Polish shipbuilding industry is actively involved in the decarbonization of shipping and introduces innovative ships to the market. The Polish yacht building industry is among the world leaders in the production of small and medium-sized yachts. The Polish fishing industry plays a leading role in the European Union in fish processing. Polish maritime education has a strong position in educating staff for the merchant fleet and offshore vessels.
– In the sustainable use of oceans, it is necessary to use satellite technologies to combat illegal fishing, to monitor the violation of sanctions by fleets of shadow ships that smuggle crude oil, to detect sources of ocean pollution with plastic, noise and artificial light – emphasized the president of BSSC.
The panel discussion, which was efficiently led by Jacqui Syndercombe, CEO of Syndercombe Consulting, was summed up synthetically by Kinnie De Beule, Innovation Manager, De Blauwe Cluster. From the activity of maritime clusters and the practice of sustainable ocean development it follows that “Maritime clusters are essential platforms for the environmentally friendly development of maritime industries and directly link policy to business. Clusters catalyze innovation and sustainable maritime economy.”
Holistic on ocean protection
Maritime security is the basis for a stable and sustainable maritime economy in the context of growing geopolitical tensions. Efficient data management, smart ports and strategic maritime logistics are key to the security of maritime states. Space technologies, satellite systems and AI-based observation technologies play a special role in the security system. Sustainable development and economic growth are not mutually exclusive and can complement each other.
It is essential to support traditional fishing and the development of ecological farms producing fish and seafood. The development of offshore wind farms and obtaining energy from sea waves significantly supports the energy transformation. New jobs are being created in these areas.
– Nature-based solutions are key to solving the problem of rising sea levels and the much-needed resilience of coastal communities – emphasizes Jacqui Syndercombe and believes that “Environmentally-sensitive design in large maritime infrastructures is mandatory”. Environmental protection is associated with greater funding. Environmentally friendly investments can help restore endangered species and habitats and benefit marine protected areas.
That is why a holistic approach to marine spatial planning is key. Here, it is essential to use innovative solutions in all maritime industries. Innovations should contribute to the implementation of the postulates included in the UN Ocean Sustainability Strategy, the EU Oceans Pact and the programmes developed during the 3rd UN Conference UNCO3.
