Humanitas at the French Embassy in Athens: Preparing for UNOC3 in Nice

On 3 June, Humanitas was honored to attend the roundtable “Towards the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) of Nice,” held at the French Embassy in Athens. The event, in anticipation of the Third UN Ocean Conference taking place in Nice from June 9–13, 2025.

The gathering focused on key priorities for the Mediterranean ahead of UNOC3, including:
– The 20th anniversary of the Barcelona Convention
– Green shipping and maritime innovation
– Sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity
– Implementation of the BBNJ agreement (High Seas Treaty)
– Marine pollution and climate change
– Strengthening Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

The program featured presentations from leading national and international experts:

• Ms. Laurence Auer, Ambassador of France to Greece
• Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Greek Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, Coordinator of the Our Ocean Conference 2024, Member of the Hellenic Parliament and Chair of the Environment Committee
• Mr. Petros Varelidis, Secretary General of Natural Environment and Water, Ministry of Environment and Energy
• Dr. Aristomenis Karageorgis, President of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research and Director of the Institute of Oceanography
• Mr. Vassilios Dimoulas, Technology and Innovation Director, Bureau Veritas Group

The roundtable and Q&A session were moderated by Dr. Paraskevi Nomikou, Professor of Geological Oceanography at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Throughout the session, several key announcements and concerns stood out. Dr. Karageorgis expressed the pressing need for a dedicated new Greek research vessel to support oceanographic research and study in the region. Ambassador Auer shared the upcoming Science Festival for the Oceans by the French Institute in Athens, scheduled for November, aimed at furthering public engagement with marine sciences.

Dr. Avgerinopoulou offered an overview of Greece’s commitments announced at the Our Ocean Conference, with updates available on weseayou. Mr. Varelidis emphasized the often-overlooked importance of protecting Greece’s corals—a commitment to be announced during UNOC3 by the Greek Prime Minister.

As participants, we were proud to witness the commitment and cooperation emerging from this timely discussion—one that reinforces the Mediterranean’s vital role in shaping ocean sustainability on the global stage. At Humanitas, we remain dedicated to supporting the communications that drive marine conservation, policy innovation, and inclusive public engagement.