Stakeholders
2025 UN Ocean Conference
General
In accordance with paragraph 4 of A/RES/78/128, the 2025 UN Ocean Conference should involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14.
Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders at the UN 2025 Ocean Conference is guided by A/RES/78/128.
Opportunities for stakeholder’s participation in the preparations for and during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will be posted on this webpage.
Sign up here to receive regular updates and information about the 2025 UN Ocean Conference
Stakeholders Participation
Please visit this website regularly for updates on the registration process for representatives of accredited stakeholder organizations to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. This includes information on the number of representatives each organization will be permitted to register.
Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is guided by A/RES/78/128.
Organizations that fall under the following categories will be able to request registration to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting (July 2024):
Non-governmental organizations and major groups identified in Agenda 21 and other stakeholders in consultative status with ECOSOC. You can check if your organization has consultative status with ECOSOC here.
Organizations that were accredited to any of the following previous United Nations’ conferences (please, check here for a consolidated list of specially accredited organizations):
- World Summit on Sustainable Development
- the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
- the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction,
- the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
- the Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks,
- the international meeting entitled “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity”.
- The 2017 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
- The 2022 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
- United Nations conferences on the sustainable development of small island developing States (SIDS):
- Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 26 April-6 May 1994, Bridgetown, Barbados;
- International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 10-14 January 2005, Port Louis, Mauritius; and/or
- Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 1-4 September 2014, Apia, Samoa.
- 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 27 – 30 May 2024, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
- Organizations that receive special accreditation to attend the 2025 UN Ocean conference:
- First Round of Special Accreditation.
- Second (and final) round - please, see below for details.
2nd Round of Special Accreditation Process for the UN 2025 Ocean Conference - Closed!
As guided by resolution A/RES/78/128, other non-governmental organizations, civil society and youth organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, local and regional authorities, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations and other stakeholders whose work is relevant to the Conference, and are not in consultative status with ECOSOC or accredited to the previous United Nations Conferences mentioned above, must receive special accreditation in order to participate in the Conference and the preparatory meeting as observers.
The second (and final) round of Special Accreditation to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will closed on 13 December 2024.
Applications are currently being reviewed by the UN Secretariat. Outcomes of the process are expected to be announced in February 2025.
The Secretariat of the Conference is currently reviewing the relevance of the work of the organizations that applied for Special Accreditation on the basis of their background and involvement in the implementation and follow up of SDG 14. The President of the General Assembly will draw up the list of recommended organizations and submit it to Member States for their consideration on a non-objection basis.
If you have questions about the Special Accreditation process, please, check here.
1st Round of Special Accreditation for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference - Closed
The first round of Special Accreditation to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference closed on 22 March 2024
Outcomes of first round of special accreditation are available here
Organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC whose statuses have been suspended by the UN NGO Committee will not be allowed to request registration or seek special accreditation to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, irrespective of previous accreditation to past UN Conferences.
Online Consultations
Stakeholder Inputs to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration
Read the key topics and recommendations here!
Non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors were invited to contribute substantive inputs to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration.
Inputs will address the question below:
Please list up to three key actions that focus on areas of accelerated and collective action to support the implementation of SDG 14 and that could be considered by Member States for inclusion in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration.
Deadline for submission was 29 November 2024.
The key topics and recommendations are now available! Read the report here.
Learn more about this consultation, including all the detailed responses received from stakeholders: https://sdgs.un.org/basic-page/stakeholder-inputs-2025-un-ocean-conference-declaration-56840
Global Online Stakeholder Consultation – Inputs to Ocean Action Panel’s Concept Papers
Summary Report and Extracts now available!
Between 26 July and 30 August 2024, UN DESA conducted a global online stakeholder consultation to compile inputs for the concept papers of the Ocean Action Panels. Information about the consultation was widely disseminated through mailing lists, UN official websites, social media, and a dedicated webpage.
Contributions from stakeholders were sought regarding substantive inputs for the Ocean Action Panels, addressing main challenges, transformative actions, opportunities, and potential areas for new partnerships to advance the implementation of SDG 14.
More than 400 inputs were received from stakeholders based in 90 countries.
A Summary report with key messages from the global online stakeholder consultation is now available here. Additionally, extracts from each of the Ocean Action Panels as well as all responses received from stakeholders are available here.
For details, please, check this page: https://sdgs.un.org/basic-page/UNOC3-Global-online-stakeholder-consultation
Webinars
Multi-Stakeholder Informative Webinar on the UN 2025 Ocean Conference
A multi-stakeholder informative webinar was held on 19 March 2024 to share information about the 2025 UN Ocean Conference with all stakeholders, and to hear about their expectations and key messages in the lead up to the Conference.
For more information about the webinar, including recording and relevant materials please, check: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/event/stakeholder-webinar-1.
Preparatory Meeting
2 July 2024 - Preparatory Meeting Stakeholder Participation
Preparatory Meeting for the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, 2 July 2024, UNHQ, New York, NY
As mandated in the General Assembly resolution 78/128, the President of the General Assembly convened a preparatory meeting, on 2 July 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, which was chaired by the two host countries of the Conference, Costa Rica and France, to consider the themes for the Ocean Action panels and elements for the declaration, taking into the call by Member States for a brief, concise, action-oriented and intergovernmentally agreed declaration.
Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference was guided by A/RES/78/128.
Non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholder organizations that fall under the categories indicated here were able to request registration to attend the Preparatory meeting of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in person. Deadline for registration was 14 June 2024. 387 representatives from accredited non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders registered to attend the preparatory meeting.
Speaking Slots
The Secretariat conducted an open call with all registered stakeholders to indicate their interest in delivering short remarks during the Preparatory Meeting. 55 applications were received. 14 stakeholders delivered oral interventions during the preparatory meeting. The Secretariat also compiled a few written inputs. All statements are published here.
More information about the Preparatory Meeting for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is available here.
FAQ
1) Who can participate in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is guided by A/RES/78/128.
Organizations that fall under the following categories will be able to request registration to attend the 2025 Ocean Conference (9 – 13 June 2025, Nice, France):
1. Non-governmental organizations and major groups identified in Agenda 21 and other stakeholders in consultative status with ECOSOC. You can check if your organization has consultative status with ECOSOC here.
2. Organizations that were accredited to any of the following previous United Nations’ conferences (please, check here for a consolidated list):
· World Summit on Sustainable Development
· the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
· the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction,
· the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks
· the Review Conference on the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks,
· the international meeting entitled “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity”.
· The 2017 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
· The 2022 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
· United Nations conferences on the sustainable development of small island developing States (SIDS):
o Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 26 April-6 May 1994, Bridgetown, Barbados;
o International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 10-14 January 2005, Port Louis, Mauritius; and/or
o Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 1-4 September 2014, Apia, Samoa.
o 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 27 – 30 May 2024, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
- Organizations that received special accreditation to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (please, see below):
- First Round of Special Accreditation.
- Second (and final) round - Closed on 13 December 2024.
2) My organization is not on the lists above – can we attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
As guided by resolution A/RES/78/128, other non-governmental organizations, civil society and youth organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, local and regional authorities, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations and other stakeholders whose work is relevant to the Conference, and are not in consultative status with ECOSOC or accredited to the previous United Nations Conferences mentioned above, must receive special accreditation in order to participate in the Conference as observers.
Please, check below for details about the Special Accreditation process.
3) How can I request Special Accreditation for my organization?
The first round of Special Accreditation for non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference was held between February and March 2024. Outcomes of the first round of special accreditation are now available here: https://sdgs.un.org/documents/finalngos-and-stakeholder-organizations-specially-accredited-unoc3first-round-55624
The second (and final) round of Special Accreditation to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference closed on 13 December 2024.
Applications are currently being reviewed by the UN Secretariat. Outcomes of the process are expected to be announced in February 2025.
The Secretariat of the Conference is currently reviewing the relevance of the work of the organizations that applied for Special Accreditation on the basis of their background and involvement in the implementation and follow up of SDG 14. The President of the General Assembly will draw up the list of recommended organizations and submit it to Member States for their consideration on a non-objection basis.
NOTE: Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the ECOSOC or other entities listed on Question 1 (above) do not need to apply for special accreditation.
4) What information do I need to provide when submitting a request for Special Accreditation?
The Special Accreditation for Non-Governmental organizations and other stakeholders are now closed. Submissions are currently under review by the Secretariat. Ad hoc applications will not be accepted.
For questions related to the Special Accreditation process, please, email: ngls@un.org with the subject: [Special Accreditation – 2025 UN Ocean Conference].
5) What is the process for Special Accreditation requests to be reviewed?
The Secretariat of the Conference reviews the relevance of the work of the organizations that apply for Special Accreditation on the basis of their background and involvement in the implementation and follow up of SDG 14. The President of the General Assembly then drawn up the list of recommended organizations and submits it to Member States for their consideration on a non-objection basis.
Once an organization or entity receives special accreditation, it will be able to register representatives to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference when registration is open. Approval of special accreditation does not automatically guarantee the organization’s participation in the Conference.
6) When will I know if my organization was specially accredited to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Outcomes of the 2nd Round of Special Accreditation are expected to become available by early February 2025.
7) What is the difference between accreditation and registration for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Organizations that are accredited by the UN can request registration of their representatives (individuals) to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. Details about registration will be shared in due time on the Conference webpage.
8) If my organization receives Special Accreditation to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, do I still need to register for the Conference? Can I just show a copy of the confirmation letter to participate at the Conference?
Special accreditation of your organization DOES NOT automatically mean registration of individuals to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference or its preparatory meeting. All organizations will still need to register their representatives to be able to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference. Information about registration to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will be published in due time at the Conference’s website.
9) I do not belong to any organization. Can I attend the Conference?
Unfortunately, you cannot register to attend the Conference as an individual. Participants must be associated with an accredited organization in order to request registration and attend the Conference.
10) My organization has consultative status with ECOSOC. Do I need to register to attend the Conference?
Yes. All participants must register to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
11) How can I register to participate at the Conference?
Information about registration to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will be published in due time.
Please, check this page for updates: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/stakeholders.
12) How many representatives can each organization register to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Information about the number of participants each organization will be able to request will be available when registration to the Conference opens. Please, check this page for updates: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/stakeholders.
13) Are funds available for stakeholders to participate at the at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Registered stakeholders are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. The United Nations does not charge a fee for participation in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference or any of its official events.
14) I represent a city and/or a regional government. Can I participate at the at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Representatives of local and regional governments should register through their Member State delegation. Registration information for all categories of participants will be posted on the website:https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025
Accredited associations of local and regional governments including those in consultative status with ECOSOC will also be able to register participants.
15) Are there opportunities for stakeholders to speak during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Information on opportunities for delivery of remarks by stakeholders will be communicated to registered participants closer to the Conference.
16) Can NGOs and other stakeholders organize side-events at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference?
Yes. Accredited organizations will be able to apply for side-events once the process is open. Information will be published on the Conference’s website.
Do you still have questions?
Please, email: unoc3@un.org with subject [Ocean Conference - Stakeholders]