Stakeholders
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.
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Stakeholders Participation
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):
- 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 - please, see details below.
Special Accreditation Process - 1st Round of Special Accreditation for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is now 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 first round of Special Accreditation to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference closed on 22 March 2024.
[UPDATE – 03 May 2024] The President of the General Assembly has drawn up the list of recommended organizations and submitted it to Member States for their consideration on a non-objection basis. Check here and here for details, including the list of 119 organizations recommended to receive special accreditation to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference as observers. Please, note! Organizations will only receive special accreditation AFTER the consideration by UN Member States and if no objections are raised. Approved organizations will be notified by the Secretariat after Member States review.
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.
For additional information about the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, please check https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025
To receive updates about the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, please, sign up to our mailing list here.
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.
FAQ
1) Who can participate in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting?
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) and its preparatory meeting (2nd July 2024, UNHQ, New York):
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
- Organizatoins that receive special accreditation to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (please, see below).
2) My organization is not on the lists above – can we attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting?
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.
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.
The Secretariat of the Conference is currently reviewing the relevance of the work of the organizations that applied for Special Accreditation (First Round – February/March 2024) 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.
A second round of Special Accreditation for non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will be held later in 2024. Once available, information will be posted here: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/stakeholders
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?
Accreditation applications can only be submitted on behalf of relevant organizations or entities. Applications by individuals are not accepted.
Important supporting documentation will be required, including:
· Purpose of Organization and expression of interest;
· Proof of legal status;
· Copy of the annual or other reports of the organization demonstrating relevance to the conference.
Applications can only be done through a dedicated online form. A second round of Special Accreditation for non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference will be held later in 2024. Once available, information will be posted here: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/stakeholders
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.
For questions related to the Special Accreditation process, please, email: ngls@un.org with the subject: [Special Accreditation – 2025 UN Ocean Conference].
5) My organization applied for Special Accreditation. What is the process for Special Accreditation requests to be reviewed?
The Secretariat of the Conferencehas reviewed the relevance of the work of the organizations that applied for Special Accreditation (First Round – February/March 2024) on the basis of their background and involvement in the implementation and follow up of SDG 14. The President of the General Assembly has drawn up the list of recommended organizations and submitted it to Member States for their consideration on a non-objection basis. Finde more information here:
Approved organizations will be notified by the Secretariat after Member States review.
Once an organization or entity receives special accreditation, it will be able to register representatives to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting, when registration is open for the Conference and/or its preparatory meeting. Approval of special accreditation does not automatically guarantee the organization’s participation in the Conference or its preparatory meeting.
6) When will I know if my organization was specially accredited to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting?
Approved organizations will be notified by the Secretariat by May 2024 (estimated).
7) What is the difference between accreditation and registration for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting?
Organizations that are accredited by the UN can request registration of their representatives (individuals) to attend the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting. 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 and its preparatory meeting?
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 and its preparatory meetings. Information about registration to the preparatory meeting and for 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 or its preparatory meeting?
Unfortunately, you cannot register to attend the Conference or its preparatory meetings 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 will need to register to participate at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and its preparatory meeting.
11) How can I register to participate at the Conference and/or its preparatory meeting?
Information about registration to the preparatory meeting and 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 and its preparatory meeting?
Information about the number of participants each organization will be able to request will be available when registration 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 and its preparatory meeting?
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 and its preparatory meeting?
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 and its preparatory meeting?
Information on opportunities for delivery of remarks by stakeholders will be communicated to registered participants closer to the events.
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: dsdg@un.org with subject [Ocean Conference - Stakeholders]