Beach in Busan, Korea

Our Ocean Conference

The 10th Our Ocean Conference has chosen the theme 'Our Ocean, Our Action' to promote global actions for a sustainable ocean. In particular, this 10th conference will discuss 'Digital Oceans' as a special agenda, focusing on means to drive action. Ocean Digital is a concept that combines the ocean industry and digital technology, serving as an implementation tool to achieve a sustainable ocean swiftly and systematically.

The Our Ocean Conference has a legacy of driving concrete commitments for ocean conservation and is known for bringing together governments, civil society and the private sector.

Started by Former Secretary of State John Kerry, we are now approaching the 10th OOC with ‘Ocean Digital’ as a special agenda item and mechanism to drive action. Over the years, OOC has resulted in pledges collectively worth billions. But focus must now be on action and delivery – the theme for the event ‘Our Ocean, Our Action’. 

The focus is expected to be on national marine protections, emphasising how countries can step up their efforts to protect coastal and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) areas.

Together for the Ocean will be mobilizing at Our Ocean Conference to amplify 30×30 policy priorities, engage with stakeholders on the ground and track progress against thematic focuses.

Below is a tailored agenda of the top side event sessions at the Our Ocean Conference that cover material related to the key policy areas of the Together for the Ocean campaign: 30×30 progress, scaling ocean protection, ocean stewardship, ratification of the High Seas Treaty, ocean management and the blue economy. Don’t miss key insights and action into 30×30 progress – let this guide help, and make sure to attend our highlighted partner sessions.

How to bridge the gap between 8 and 30% to achieve the 30% ocean conversation target? Ramping up political mobilization efforts and technical support to High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People’s members 14:30-16:00Convention Hall, 201+202High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People Secretariat
Stories of Conservation: Marine Protected Areas & Community Action – The Blue Quest: Palawan 14:30-16:00Convention Hall, 203+204Korea International Ocean Film Festival
Closing the Ocean-Climate Funding and Capacity Gap: Building the Future of Latin America’s Ocean-Climate Solutions14:30-16:00Exhibition Center 1, 211Ocean Hub Colombia
Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity 14:30-16:00Exhibition Center 1, 214The Pacific Community
International Coral Reef Initiative & Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat (Merged Event) 14:30-16:00Exhibition Center 1, 215
Sustainable Ocean Initiative16:20-17:50Convention Hall, 201+202CBD Secretariat
Deep Ocean Action: Protecting the deep sea for generations 16:20-17:50Exhibition Center 1, 211Government of Palau
From Beach to Boardroom: Building a Capital Market for the Ocean 16:20-17:50Exhibition Center 1, 213Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance
How journalists use open data to track ocean protection progress 16:20-17:50Exhibition Center 1, 214Pulitzer Center
Community driven Blue Economy for facilitating maritime decarbonization 16:20-17:50Exhibition Center 1, 215GGGI
KIOST & Oceano Azul Foundation & Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Merged Event) 16:20-17:50
Exhibition Center 1, 216
Strategic and convening roles and contributions
11:00-12:30Convention Hall, 201+202UNEP COBSEA
Our Commitments to Oceans
 11:00-12:30Convention Hall, 203+204OOC CSO Network
Human Rights and the Ocean Economy
11:00-12:30Exhibition Centre 1, 211IUCN People and the Ocean Specialist Group
Ocean Literacy as a tool to drive ocean conservation actions
11:00-12:30Exhibition Centre 1, 212IOC of UNESCO
The High Seas Treaty 
11:00-12:30Exhibition Centre 1, 213Australian National Centre
Towards IPOS: Leveraging the power of AI to accelerate action for global ocean targets 
12:50-14:20Exhibition Centre 1, 211European Commission – DG MARE
Smart Ocean Data Applications
12:50-14:20Exhibition Centre 1, 213National Academy of Marine Research
Marine Spatial Planning for Growing Natural Capital
12:50-14:20Exhibition Centre 1, 215World Bank Group
Ambition to Action: Asia and the Pacific’s ocean Conservation Leadership
14:40-16:10Convention Hall, 203+204Bloomberg Ocean Fund
Marine Digital Transformation 
14:40-16:10Exhibition Centre 1, 211MOF & Busan City
Climate Change Impact on Marine Ecosystem
14:40-16:10Exhibition Centre 1, 216KIOST
From Busan to Nice: Accelerating Ambition in the Race for Ratification of the High Seas Treaty16:30-18:00Exhibition Centre 1, 216High Seas Alliance
Collective Action in Implementing the 30×30 GBF targets 16:30-18:00Convention Hall, 201+202PEMSEA
Starting with the Southern Ocean 
09:00-10:30Convention Hall, 203+204CORI/ASOC
The Blue Economy and Finance Forum
 09:00-10:30Exhibition Centre 1, 211Oceanographic Institute
Enhancing inclusive policymaking through participatory quantification of community dependence on marine ecosystems 
09:00-10:30Exhibition Centre 1, 212World Resources Institute
An inclusive, sustainable and climate positive blue economy that contributes to Africa’s transformation and growth 
09:00-10:30Exhibition Centre 1, 213Ocean Climate Innovation Hub Kenya, Technical University of Mombasa
AI, Digital & Technology Tools for Community-Led Marine Protection
09:00-10:30Exhibition Centre 1, 215Vital Oceans Initiative – C Minds
Global Ocean Leadership and Blue Finance 
09:00-10:30Exhibition Centre 1, 216MOF & KMI
Accountability in Action at the 10th Our Ocean Conference
10:50-12:20Convention Hall, 201+202Oregon State University
Investing in Coral Reefs 
10:50-12:20Exhibition Centre 1, 214UNDP
Leading the Sustainable Ocean Industry through Blue Bond Issuance
10:50-12:20Exhibition Centre 1, 215Korea Ocean Business Corporation
Marine Prosperity Areas 
12:40-14:10Convention Hall, 203+204Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scaling Commitments for Marine Conservation 
12:40-14:10Exhibition Centre 1, 211Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries
Ensuring Marine Conservation and Offshore Wind Development for Sustainable Fisheries and Fishing Communities- How to establish partnerships to realize Blue Economy 
12:40-14:10Exhibition Centre 1, 214Renewable Energy Institute & IRENA & Ocean Conservancy
Action for Change! UNOC3 
12:40-14:10Convention Hall, 201+202Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica
Protecting Protected Areas: How open data confronts pollution in sensitive marine ecosystems and improves MPA governance
14:30-16:00Exhibition Centre 1, 213SkyTruth
Collaborating for conservation 14:30-16:00Exhibition Centre 1, 214ESCAP East and North-East Asia Office 
Advancing Sustainable Ocean Management Through Sustainable Ocean Plans and the 100% Alliance 14:30-16:00Exhibition Centre 1, 215World Resources Institute
28 – 30 April 2025