The Ocean Opportunity: Strengthening Blue Climate Action from UNOC3 to COP31

On 17 June 2026, the University of Sydney hosted The Ocean Opportunity: Strengthening Blue Climate Action from UNOC3 to COP31, a high-level discussion co-organised by the Embassy of France in Australia, the Embassy of the Federal republic of Germany in Australia, the University of Sydney and AFRAN (Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation). Bringing together diplomats, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society representatives, the event explored how the momentum generated by the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) can be translated into concrete outcomes ahead of COP31.

The evening opened with remarks from Professor Mike Ryan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney, who highlighted the central role oceans play in regulating the climate, sustaining biodiversity, and connecting communities around the world. He emphasised the importance of international research collaboration, particularly as Australia strengthens its engagement with global partners through initiatives such as Horizon Europe. Representing Germany, Ambassador Beate Grzeski underscored the critical role of oceans in climate mitigation and adaptation. She highlighted Germany’s support for the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), international climate finance mechanisms, and scientific cooperation, while stressing the urgent need to protect vulnerable coastal and island communities facing rising sea levels and ocean degradation. France’s Consul General in Sydney, Gilles Barrier, reflected on the outcomes of UNOC3 in Nice and outlined France’s priorities for COP31. These include strengthening the integration of ocean issues into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), promoting ocean-based climate solutions such as mangrove and seagrass restoration, advancing marine biodiversity protection, accelerating implementation of the High Seas Treaty, enhancing coastal resilience, and mobilising greater investment for ocean action. Finally, Jon Spring, Director of Stakeholder Engagement for the Australian COP31 Taskforce, highlighted the growing recognition of the ocean-climate nexus within international climate negotiations. He stressed that while ocean references are increasingly present in national climate plans, the challenge now lies in transforming commitments into scalable, investable, and practical actions. He also emphasised the importance of the Pacific partnership and the upcoming pre-COP meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu as key milestones on the road to COP31.

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr Dominique Benzaken (Senior policy advisor (Ocean governance, blue economy, blue finance)), brought together leading voices from science, policy, conservation, and industry: Professor Joshua Cinner (The University of Sydney), Dr Morgan Wairiu (Island Knowledge Institute, Solomon Islands), Angela Williamson (Blue Economy CRC), and Dermot O’Gorman (WWF-Australia). Several key themes emerged throughout the discussion. Panellists agreed that COP31 presents an opportunity to firmly embed ocean issues within climate policy frameworks, particularly through NDCs, adaptation planning, and climate finance mechanisms. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the Pacific pre-COP process, which was described as a critical opportunity to elevate Pacific priorities and ensure ocean-related issues are reflected in negotiation texts before COP31 begins. A recurring message throughout the evening was the need to move beyond dialogue and focus on implementation. Angela Williamson called for greater investment in real-world demonstration projects, innovative blue economy initiatives, and practical solutions that deliver measurable outcomes. The panel also highlighted the importance of climate adaptation, particularly for coastal and island communities. Professor Joshua Cinner argued that adaptation efforts must become more people-centred, focusing not only on infrastructure but also on strengthening social networks, local knowledge, livelihood flexibility, and community resilience.

Financing emerged as another major theme. Discussions explored how innovative financing mechanisms, including the Pacific Resilience Facility, could better support locally driven adaptation initiatives and enable direct access to funding for Pacific communities. Panellists emphasised the need for climate finance systems that are more responsive to local realities and capable of supporting long-term resilience. The conversation also addressed the growing role of Indigenous leadership and traditional knowledge in climate and ocean governance. Speakers highlighted that Indigenous stewardship has protected significant portions of the world’s ecosystems and should be recognised as a cornerstone of future climate and ocean solutions. Another notable discussion centred on the recent International Court of Justice advisory opinion on climate change. Dr Morgan Wairiu reflected on how Pacific nations are increasingly using international legal avenues to complement climate diplomacy, providing new leverage to hold states accountable for their climate obligations and responsibilities. Audience discussions further reinforced the importance of ocean literacy and education. Participants stressed that improving public understanding of the ocean’s role in climate regulation and sustainable development will be essential to building long-term support for ocean action.

As the event concluded, several messages resonated strongly across the evening: the need to place oceans at the heart of climate action, the importance of Pacific leadership, the urgency of scaling adaptation and finance, and the necessity of turning commitments into action. Looking ahead to COP31, speakers agreed that success will depend not only on ambitious negotiations but also on delivering practical, people-centred solutions that strengthen resilience and accelerate progress towards a sustainable ocean future. The event demonstrated the value of bringing together science, diplomacy, policy, industry, and civil society to advance a shared vision: ensuring that the ocean is recognised not only as a victim of climate change, but as one of the most powerful solutions available to address it.

Key Takeaways

• The ocean must be at the centre of climate action. Discussions highlighted that ocean health is inseparable from climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

• COP31 represents a unique opportunity to elevate the ocean-climate agenda. Building on the momentum of UNOC3, participants called for stronger integration of ocean-related actions into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), adaptation plans and climate finance mechanisms.

• The Pacific must be heard. Pacific Island countries are not only among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts, but also among the most innovative in developing resilience solutions. Their leadership will be essential in shaping meaningful outcomes ahead of COP31.

• Implementation matters more than commitments. Speakers repeatedly stressed the need to move beyond declarations and focus on delivering practical, measurable actions that support communities, ecosystems and sustainable blue economies.

• Adaptation must be people-centred. Effective adaptation goes beyond infrastructure and technology. It requires investing in communities, local knowledge, education, social networks and the capacity of people to respond to change.

• Finance remains a critical challenge. Increased investment is needed to support coastal resilience, ecosystem restoration, blue carbon initiatives and locally led adaptation projects, particularly across the Pacific.

• Indigenous and local knowledge are essential. Long-standing stewardship practices provide valuable lessons for sustainable ocean governance and climate resilience.

• Education and ocean literacy are fundamental. Building greater public understanding of the ocean’s role in climate regulation and human wellbeing is key to driving long-term behavioural change and political support.

• Collaboration is the only path forward. Governments, researchers, industry, Indigenous communities, civil society and international partners must work together to translate science into action.

  
  

Final Message

As the world moves from UNOC3 to COP31, the challenge is no longer convincing people that the ocean matters—it is ensuring that ocean solutions are embedded in climate policies, adequately financed, and implemented at the scale and speed required. The opportunity is clear: a healthy ocean is not only essential for climate resilience, it is one of our strongest allies in building a sustainable future.