Morocco leading Africa’s blue economy at UNOC-3 in Nice

The city of Nice is gearing up to host the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (c) from June 9 to 13. This pivotal event offers Africa a vital platform to promote an inclusive and sustainable blue economy—an area where Morocco plays a leading role with an ambitious strategic plan.

At the conference, Morocco will co-chair the “Africa for the Ocean” summit alongside France. This summit will bring together African heads of state, government officials, and international representatives to discuss opportunities for Africa’s ocean resources while emphasizing responsible maritime governance.

Key topics include securing funding for resilient infrastructure, ocean governance, fisheries management, and improving connectivity between coastal and landlocked countries. The goal is to forge strategic partnerships that address regional ocean-related challenges with tailored solutions.

In preparation for UNOC-3, a high-level workshop was held last month near Rabat to coordinate efforts among African stakeholders and highlight Morocco’s leadership in ocean governance. Organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection and the French Embassy in Morocco, this meeting reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance and emphasized the importance of intergenerational engagement.

Participants, including African governments, international organizations, scientists, civil society, and youth ocean advocates, outlined priorities such as enhancing ocean science knowledge, financing a sustainable blue economy, and protecting marine ecosystems through inclusive multilateral mechanisms.

Zakia Driouich, Morocco’s Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, underscored the country’s comprehensive blue economy roadmap, which includes integrated maritime laws, fisheries management plans, development of marine protected areas, and combating illegal fishing. She stressed the need for a unified African voice at UNOC-3, building on key events held in Morocco.

Morocco is among the first nations to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, reflecting its dedication to sustainable marine resource management aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 14 on life below water.

The conference aims to accelerate the ratification of this treaty, which safeguards the ocean beyond national jurisdictions, and mobilize public and private funding to support a blue economy that balances growth, jobs, and ocean protection.

Other priorities include promoting decarbonization of maritime transport which carries 90% of global trade—with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and strengthening ocean science knowledge to inform policy decisions.

Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, UNOC-3 will gather over 50 heads of state and 1,500 delegates from nearly 200 countries. The agenda features plenary sessions, thematic roundtables, official delegations’ zones, and parallel forums under the theme “Accelerating Action and Mobilizing All Stakeholders for Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Use.”

This conference marks a crucial step in global ocean governance, addressing climate change, sea level rise, marine pollution, overfishing, and other pressing challenges.