Beyond Borders: Ocean Futures at UNOC3

07 May 2025

We are pleased to announce the presence of the Beyond Borders pavilion at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will be open from June 2 to June 13, 2025, in the vibrant Green Zone—known as “La Baleine” (The Whale)—at Nice’s Palais des Expositions. Hosted by UNESCO-IOC in partnership with the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) and Italy’s National Research Council (CNR-ISMAR), the pavilion invites everyone to explore and engage with ocean literacy, conservation, and marine biodiversity.

Beyond Borders offers visitors an immersive experience, highlighting how our collective choices impact the ocean, the world’s largest and most vital resource. Through interactive exhibitions, compelling visual stories, and engaging activities, attendees will discover the interconnectedness of life on land and sea, gaining insights into global efforts to protect our ocean and restore our relationship with it.

The space showcases a diverse range of pioneering projects, including IOC initiatives such as SEA BEYOND, Save the Wave, and the Blue Schools Global Network, to demonstrate the powerful role ocean literacy plays for a sustainable ocean future. The OFB highlights France’s commitment through Educational Marine Areas, Marine Natural Parks, and the Mediterranean Posidonia Network, illustrating active and participatory biodiversity protection. The Biodiversity Gateway coordinated by CNR-ISMAR presents cutting-edge science and community engagement aimed at ecosystem resilience across Italy and Europe.

Beyond Borders is a meeting point for collaboration, dialogue, and inspiration. Positioned in the public-access Green Zone, just a 15-minute tram ride or a 25-minute walk from the official delegate area, it’s an inclusive platform to amplify ocean literacy beyond the traditional boundaries of the Ocean Conference.

We warmly invite you to visit the Beyond Borders pavilion at La Baleine from June 2 to June 13, where you will find a comprehensive program of dynamic events and opportunities to explore ocean literacy and conservation. A full calendar will be published soon on the Ocean Literacy Portal, and we’ll be in touch again soon to share some highlights from the program.