The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 has opened in Nice with strong calls to accelerate action to protect the ocean from people and to protect people from the ocean. It takes place as record ocean heat and acidification harm marine ecosystems and economies, and rising sea levels and more intense storms threaten coastal communities.
The UN Ocean Conference , from 9 to 13 June, is co-hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica. It is expected to adopt a political declaration and registry of voluntary commitments - called the Nice Ocean Action Plan to conserve and sustainably use the ocean" in support of Sustainable Development Goal 14 on life above and below the water.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica joined UN Secretary-General António Guterres in calling for more science-based action to protect ocean health which is so vital to planetary health.
"We live in an age of turmoil, but the resolve I see here gives me hope," said Mr Guterres.
The ocean absorbs more than 90 percent of excess heat from human activities. Ocean warming and glacier melt is accelerating sea-level rise. Record ocean temperatures and acidification are inflicting severe and long-lasting damage.
This is having a tsunami-like impact on sustainable development of the ocean and resulting in billions of dollars of damage to the Blue Economy.
"We need to turn the tide," said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.
"To do this, we need scientific cooperation, data exchange and knowledge. Coupled with political will," she said. Open data, shared standards, international trust and provision of actionable information. These lie at the heart of the work of WMO," Celeste Saulo told a high-level event sponsored by Panama and Portugal.
Celeste Saulo held a series of panel discussions and meetings with dignitaries, including Prince Albert of Monaco, a prominent ocean advocates, to highlight how WMO contributes to ocean safety and ocean health.
Weather forecasts and services help maritime operations and the shipping industry to optimize routes, minimize risks and reduce fuel consumption - and hence greenhouse gas emissions.
Forecasts and warnings of tropical cyclone related hazards - such as storm surge and coastal inundations save lives and protect livelihoods amidst more rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones and growing coastal populations.
Ocean observations are an integral part of WMO weather and climate monitoring activities as well as services such as El Niño/La Niña seasonal outlooks.
From 2023 to 2024, the heat content of the upper 2000 meters of the global ocean increased by 16 zettajoules - about 140 times the world's annual total electricity generation, according to the WMO State of the Global Climate 2024 report.
WMO is a co-sponsor of the Global Ocean Observing System hosted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. The "eyes" of its thousands of observing platforms feed weather forecasts, early warnings and climate prediction.
A major contributor to observations is the Argo program, with nearly 4,000 robotic floats which monitor ocean heat, sea-level rise, and circulation patterns. In addition, more than 1,000 Voluntary Observing Ships provide real-time meteorological data. However, participation is declining.
To try to close the gaps, WMO and its partners - IOC and the International Maritime Organization - will launch the "10 000 ships for the ocean" initiative on 13 June.
Building resilience from coast to community
As the frequency and severity of extreme weather events continue to escalate, the need for robust, community-driven early warning systems has never been more urgent to save lives and support risk-informed planning and preparedness.
Jamaica's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamina Johnson Smith, joined Celeste Saulo and other UN leaders at a UN Ocean Conference Side Event From Coast to Community, Building Resilience Through Early Warnings. It showcased the central role of the UN Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All initiative as well as the importance of national and local leadership.
WMO is committed to supporting Small Island Developing States and coastal communities on the frontline with timely and actionable forecasts and accurate information on marine hazards, said Celeste Saulo.
"While weather impacts are felt at the local level, we cannot face them without global cooperation. International data collection and exchange must be strengthened to improve localized predictions - because the weather does not respect any borders," she said.
The challenges are immense, but there are many success stories that highlight the resilience and leadership of communities.
- In the Caribbean, excellent forecasts from the WMO community, strong regional collaboration, and decisive local leadership limited the loss of life during Hurricane Beryl in 2024, the earliest category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the region.
- In Mozambique, improved forecasts, communication and community mobilization saved thousands of lives and millions in damages from Tropical Cyclone Freddy in 2023.
- In Bangladesh and Myanmar, accurate early warnings before tropical cyclone Mocha in 2023 enabled humanitarian agencies reach those most at risk, preventing devastating loss of life.
- And in the Philippines, back-to-back typhoons in 2024 tested the country's resilience. Once again, it was early warnings and local leadership which helped make the difference between life and death.
"But even the perfect forecast will fail if it doesn't reach the people who need it, in a form they can understand and act on. And for that, we need strengthened National Meteorological and Hydrological Services partnering with community leadership. We need trust. Let us all work together to ensure that science serves all communities, and that no one is left behind," said Celeste Saulo.
