Government of Canada attends the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3)

NICE, France, June 13, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's oceans are facing increasing impacts from climate change, including species decline, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, harm from aquatic invasive species, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the effects from waste and other pollutants. In response to these challenges, Canada is collaborating internationally with maritime nations across the globe to better protect our oceans for present and future generations.
From June 9-13, Fisheries and Oceans Canada led the Canadian delegation at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which took place in Nice, France. During the Conference, Canada led on a series of events including:
Canada also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom to strengthen our long history of cooperation on the sustainable use of marine resources, ocean protection and preservation, and ocean science.
By continuing to collaborate with international partners to better understand the environmental changes we are seeing in the global ocean and create more economic opportunities for coastal and inland communities, Canada can help contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous blue economy for all.
Quotes
'Healthy oceans are vital to supporting the livelihoods of those that live near and rely on the ocean. I look forward to continuing our work with international partners to protect our oceans, the biodiversity within them, and the economic opportunities they bring for coastal communities across Canada and the world.'
The Honourable Joanne Thompson
Minister of Fisheries
'As a nation that borders on three oceans, Canada has a responsibility to protect our marine ecosystems for future generations. Through smart policies, innovative technologies, and close collaboration with coastal and Indigenous communities, we continue to take action to safeguard our waters. Protecting the ocean isn't just an environmental priority—it's essential to our economy, our way of life, and our shared future.'
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland
Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
'Canada has the longest coastline in the world. Protecting the ocean is crucial, and that is why our government is getting more involved than ever to protecting our lands, as well as our marine and coastal areas—including through the creation of new national marine conservation areas. These allow us to protect the ocean, while providing Canadians and visitors from around the world with the opportunity to get closer to it, learn more and have unforgettable experiences.'
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada

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