World Oceans Day 2025; June 8th.

FORUM: “Wonder: Sustaining what sustains us." World Oceans Day 2025. This year, we celebrate the ocean’s essential wonder from all of the wonders it consists of to the wonder it ignites, and call on decision-makers to not lose sight the ocean’s wonder when determining its fate. Wonder is the foundation of scientific knowledge, the allure behind exploration, the curiosity that drives innovation, and the seed of traditional wisdom. In the face of increasingly daunting challenges, the act of wondering serves to remind us that we are part of something bigger. It wakes us up to our inherent connection to the earth and to each other, expands our understanding of what is possible, empowers innovation and prioritizes decision-making for collective well-being. The ocean’s wonder is what draws us in and often drives our desire to protect it. Join the conversation with the hashtags: #WorldOceansDay, #8june, #OceanFirst.

EVENTS: The UN World Oceans Day 2025 will adopt a refreshed format in Nice, France on 8 June during the UN World Ocean Conference 2025. The high-level 2025 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 2025 UN Ocean Conference) will be co-hosted by France and Costa Rica and held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025. The overarching theme of the Conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. The Conference aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and identify further ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14. It will build on existing instruments to form successful partnerships towards the swift conclusion and effective implementation of ongoing processes that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. The Conference will 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. The Conference will build on the previous UN Ocean Conferences, hosted by Sweden and Fiji in 2017 in New York and by Portugal and Kenya in 2022 in Lisbon. Join us in creating a wave of momentum in celebration of the ocean’s Wonder as we lead up to this year’s event. Register commitments; read the Information Note; Programme of public event in the Whale; Now Available: Venue Directory Map; Overflow rooms available in the Blue Zone and Green Zone for the Opening Ceremony on 9 June; New link to sign up to the UNOC3 newsletter; UNOC3 Side Events Updates (Now Available: Blue Zone Side Events); Now Available: Concept Papers for the Ocean Action Panels..

DECLARATIONS & LETTERS: 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration (zero draft); DESA 2025 Assessments of Voluntary Commitments; Letter from PGA to MS on the Selection of Co-Chairs for UNOC3, 27 March 2025 [EN][FR]; Stakeholder Inputs to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration - key topics and recommendations online; PGA letter to all Member States on 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration zero draft and covering letter, 13 December 2024; Letter from co-facilitators regarding 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration zero draft, 13 December 2024

At UNHQ, an hybrid -event hosted both virtually and in-person will be held on June 8th from 10:00 AM to 13:30 PM EDT to celebrate the United Nations World Oceans Day 2025. Policy-makers, scientists, managers, thought leaders, and artists are invited for the celebration hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with Oceanic Global. Register to participate!

From April 15 - June 8: Sea Wonder: Share Wonder – A Global Call for Art; Hosted by PangeaSeed, Sea Wonder: Share Wonder is a global art campaign celebrating the emotional and scientific beauty of the ocean. In alignment with the 2025 UN World Oceans Day theme of Wonder, we invite artists worldwide to submit original works that explore the ocean’s power to spark curiosity, foster connection, and inspire care. Up to 20 selected artworks will be featured in a global digital gallery and offered as free downloadable resources for educators, advocates, and communities. The top 10 artists will also receive special recognition and opportunities to grow their creative impact. This campaign launches the New Wave

From May 19 - June 9: The Ocean Exhibition – Redbridge International School at the Redbridge International School Campo de Ourique Rua Francisco Metrass, 97, Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. "The Ocean" exhibition celebrates both European Maritime Day (May 21) and World Oceans Day (June 8), by emphasizing the generosity of the Ocean' and the need for Maritime communities (such […]

From May 23, 2025 to May 31, 2026: Ocean Lovers Art Show for Oceanic Global by Selva Ozelli. The theme for World Oceans Day 2025 is "Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us" highlighting the ocean's wonder and the need to protect it, recognizing the importance of its role in […]

From June 1 to June 8: World Ocean Week – Ocean Culture Life at Sunset Bay, La Saline Car Park, La Verte Rue, Jersey JE3 2DL Sunset Bay, La Saline Car Park, La Verte Rue, Jersey JE3 2DL, Jersey, La Verte Rue, United Kingdom. The World Ocean Week (WOW) is Ocean Culture Life's flagship initiative, celebrating the ocean as the lifeblood of our planet. Designed to inspire collective action, WOW 2025 will bring together communities, […]

From June 1 @ 8:00 am tp July 16 @ 5:00 pm - SEMANA DE LOS OCÉANOS MÉXICO - Ciclo de Actividades - Semana del Océano 2025 Del 1° de junio al 20 de julio, un calendario lleno de experiencias para inspirar, aprender y actuar: 1 de […]

From June 2 @ 8:00 am tp June 30 @ 5:00 pm: Sounds of The Ocean at The Well Toronto, ON The Well Toronto, ON, Toronto, Canada. The Sounds of the Ocean is an award-winning immersive experience that invites you and your family into the heart of the deep blue sea. For a limited time, Arcadia Earth is […]

EXHIBITS AND FESTIVALS: Explore the list of the WOD 2025 worldwide events.

PHOTO COMPETITION: The 2025 Photo Competition for UN World Oceans Day is free and open to the public. The 12th Annual competition is intended to explore four thematic categories open for submission. The categories are purposefully broad to encourage photographers' interpretations and artistic visions. The chosen 2025 Categories For Photo Contest are: Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us; Underwater Seascapes; Big and Small Underwater Faces; Above Water Seascapes.

PUBLICATION: Issued three times a year, the Bulletin provides cogent and timely information on issues related to the Convention on the Law of the Sea - ‘the constitution for the ocean’ - and contains the most recent legal materials relevant to the law of the sea. It includes national legislation, bilateral agreements and multilateral treaties as well as information on decisions of the International Court of Justice, arbitral tribunals and other dispute settlement procedures. Law of the Sea Bulletin - Current Issue.

CAMPAIGN: Unite for the Ocean.