HEC ONU in Nice for the Ocean Conference

The HEC ONU student association, alongside other student associations, presented its recommendations during the “Forum Jeunesse Océan”, organized in Nice by the French Association for the United Nations (AFNU). This initiative was part the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) which took place in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025. Here's a look back at this stimulating experience, dedicated to sustainable ocean management.

On November 29, AFNU organized a symposium at the Maison de l'Océan - with the support of the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry, Sea and Fisheries, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco and the UN Sciences Policy Business Forum of the UN Environment Programme - entitled “The Ocean: critical space for climate, biodiversity and world food, on the United Nations 2025 agenda”. Close to 300 guests and some 1,000 online visitors were able to follow three round tables dedicated to the Ocean's major challenges.

With the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference, and continuing on from the AFNU symposium, HEC ONU and several student associations then made their contribution through in-depth research, summarized in a report available on the AFNU website. These recommendations were presented in Nice on June 5, 2025 at the Palais des Expositions.

Promoting France's maritime assets in a sustainable way

In its contribution, HEC ONU calls for sustainable development of the maritime assets of France, which has the world's second largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The objective is to draw on marine resources (hydrocarbons, minerals, biodiversity), while ensuring their responsible exploitation. Sectors such as fishing, aquaculture, coastal tourism and marine energies have been identified as strategic, but only if they are sustainable. The association also highlights the key role played by major French companies and research centers in this field, while calling for these players to take greater responsibility for environmental issues.

Reconciling “blue” economy with ecology

The HEC ONU students also advocate reconciling economics and ecology. They believe that the “blue” economy should no longer be seen as antagonistic to ocean protection, but rather as a lever for action, notably through the development of marine renewable energies.

HEC ONU students at the Forum Jeunesse Océan in Nice

Strengthening France's diplomatic and multilateral influence

HEC ONU also stresses the need to strengthen France's diplomatic influence in this area. It recommends promoting a moratorium on seabed mining, rapidly ratifying the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Treaty), and supporting the protection of 30% of the oceans by 2030 through ambitious ecological diplomacy.