Co-hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica, the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) will take place in Nice, France from June 9-13, 2025. The conference will focus on “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.”

Rare’s engagement at UNOC3 will center on advancing community-led conservation of the ocean through empowered local leadership, people and community-driven policy, and innovative financial solutions for delivering resources to communities on nature’s frontlines.

Want to connect at UNOC? Contact Tanmatra Bhanti at tbhanti@rare.org.

Commentary: Coastal 500 call for greater investment in local leaders

In two pre-UN Ocean Conference editorials, members of the Coastal 500 global network of local leaders called on the international community and national governments to recognize and empower local governments and communities as the first line of defense against climate threats. 

TOGETHER FOR THE OCEAN op-ed

GLOBAL MANGROVE ALLIANCE op-ed

Commentary: The push for 30×30 ocean protection goal needs to be locally led

In an op-ed for Dialogue Earth, Rocky Sanchez Tirona, Managing Director of Rare’s Fish Forever coastal fisheries program, writes that thinking big about ocean protection means focusing on local communities.

Read the commentary

Rare’s Priorities at UNOC3

Elevating local leadership for SDG 14
Ensuring finance flows to frontline communities
Enabling communities to lead on 30x30
Charting a course to COP30 in Brazil

Rare Engagement at UNOC3

Accelerating Local Action for SDG14 Roundtable
High level global goals – on ocean, climate, and biodiversity action – are implemented at the local level. Hosted by Rare, Coastal500, GLISPA, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, this roundtable will convene a select group of local leaders, policymakers, and practitioners advancing coastal governance, fisheries sustainability, and climate resilience. Together, we will spotlight successful local initiatives and chart actionable steps to accelerate SDG14 from the ground up.
Financing the Future of Coastal Communities: Scaling Solutions for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture 
At the Blue Economy & Finance Forum, Rare and partners will explore how governments, philanthropies, and private investors are aligning capital to support community-led ocean solutions. The session will highlight practical experiences from implementers working directly with small scale fisheries and aquaculture, and feature funders and finance leaders to share how blended finance, catalytic philanthropy, and technical assistance are mobilizing private and public capital to scale sustainable aquaculture and coastal conservation – and deliver impact to communities on the ground.
Saturday, June 7 – 16:30 – 18:00; Grimaldi Forum, Apollinaire
30x30x30 Brazil: Accelerating Marine Protection Towards COP30
In partnership with the Brazilian government, Brazilian NGOs including Rare Brazil will profile Brazil’s leadership in global marine conservation, sharing updates from national progress in advancing the 30×30 target and SDG 14 in the lead-up to COP30. 

Collaborative ocean funding: A bridge to sustained local action for marine conservation and livelihoods
Co-hosted by Rare, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, Flora & Fauna, the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance and the UN International Organization for Migration, this lunch of ocean finance experts & local leaders will highlight the critical importance of ensuring that communities have the rights, resources, and support needed to protect shared ecosystems and sustain their livelihoods.
By invitation only

Delegation Spotlight

Rare’s delegation to UNOC3 will include local leaders representing coastal communities, including members of the Coastal 500 network.

Mayor Roselyn Asok
Philippines
Mayor Hamilton Brito
Brazil
Mayor Bachrun Labuta
Indonesia
Hector Mendoza
Honduras
Mayor Francisco Queiroz 
Brazil
Mayor Hugo Sarceño
Guatemala
Mayor Juan Ramon Manaiza Tovar
Honduras
Deputy Mayor Gelzi Araújo
Brazil
Fabricia Nogueira, Advisor
Brazil
Henrique Campos, Advisor
Brazil
Júlio César Gusmão, Advisor
Brazil

Rare’s Delegation to UNOC3

Brett Jenks
CEO
Dr. Caleb McClennen
President
Rocky Sanchez Tirona
Managing Director, Fish Forever
Kate Schweigart
VP, Innovative Finance
Monique Barreto Galváo
VP, Brazil
Gabi Polo
Strategic Engagement Lead, Coastal 500
Emily Goodwin
Senior Manager, Global Policy
Ray Chandra Purnama
Director, Policy - Indonesia
Lisa Schindler Murray
Director, Natural Climate Solutions & Blue Carbon
Briana Okuno
Director, Strategic Partnerships

Media

A new age of innovative blue finance to protect Southeast Asia’s ocean
Read the commentary
A Rare Conversation with the Blue Action Fund's Markus Knigge
Watch the conversation
Rare joins Revive Our Ocean collective
Read the article

Resources

Page: The Mothers of the Mangrove
Visit the page
Report: Financial Inclusion and Ocean Protection
Download the report
Brief: Funding ocean conservation and protection through blue bonds
Download the brief

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