UNU Paris at the AFNU Conference: Advancing Ocean Knowledge and Better Cooperation
On 2 June 2026, UNU Paris joined a conference reflecting on ocean protection and governance after the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3).
The event, organised by the French United Nations Association (AFNU), brought together experts, practitioners, public institutions and civil society representatives to discuss key challenges and opportunities for strengthening international cooperation in support of ocean sustainability.
As part of the conference, Denis Bailly, Senior Fellow at UNU Paris, participated in a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities of ocean data sharing, alongside with Frédérique Chlous, Deputy Director General, National Museum of Natural History and Marine Lecerf, Head of International Advocacy, Ocean & Climate Platform.
Drawing on his expertise in marine and coastal economics and ocean governance, Denis Bailly highlighted the critical role of knowledge generation and international cooperation in supporting evidence-based decision-making for the ocean:
The major challenge is to fill a large number of knowledge gaps and to prioritise efforts in information generation. At the heart of this challenge lies international cooperation. Progress can only be achieved within this framework. Coordinated oceanographic campaigns, open science, and knowledge-sharing are essential - not only through data repositories, but also through critical analyses shared with policymakers and society.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening connections between scientific communities and decision-makers:
We are currently in the middle of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science, which aims to foster international cooperation, coordination and prioritisation of research efforts. The United Nations system already has many mechanisms and organisations contributing to this work, particularly in science. While this cooperation is not perfect and resources remain insufficient, many tools and initiatives already exist. On the political side, major processes such as BBNJ and other international agreements are moving forward. Between these two worlds, however, there remains a significant need for platforms that can facilitate transmission, integration and dialogue.
UNU Ocean & Coasts Programme: UNU’s role in Ocean Governance
The conference also provided an opportunity to present the UNU Ocean & Coasts Programme, which seeks to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on ocean governance challenges while supporting ongoing efforts towards the establishment of a future UNU institute in France dedicated to ocean and coastal issues.
Speaking about the programme’s rationale, Denis Bailly underlined the need for stronger interfaces between scientific cooperation and international policymaking and UNU’s central role in reinforcing them:
The mandate of UNU since its creation has been precisely to build these interfaces between the scientific community and the world of political decision-making. It is about bringing science into multilateral spaces. This is UNU’s mission. Today, UNU does not have an institute dedicated to ocean issues, and the project we are advancing from Paris, Brest, Marseille and French Polynesia, is to work with partners and supporters to help create such a platform together.
Learn more about UNU Paris here: Ocean & Coasts Programme.
Strengthening Partnerships for Ocean Action
The AFNU conference highlighted the importance of maintaining the momentum generated by UNOC3 and translating international commitments into concrete action.
UNU Paris thanks all speakers and participants for the quality of the discussions and their commitment to advancing the protection and sustainable management of the ocean. Together, these exchanges reinforce the importance of international cooperation, scientific knowledge-sharing, and multi-stakeholder dialogue in addressing the challenges facing the ocean.
