AEF at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3)

• Launch of AEF Foresight Paper 'The Future of the Africa-Europe Ocean Partnership: Trends and Policy Choices for Enhanced Cooperation’

Published in the context of UNOC3, the Foresight Paper is a unique resource that explores the future of the Africa-Europe Ocean Partnership, building on present and future trends. Addressed to decision makers, and actors on the ground at UNOC3, it seeks to position the ocean and the blue economy as a strategic domain of Africa-Europe cooperation to realise a joint prosperous, sustainable and resilient future.

The Foresight Paper strengthens the AU-EU Partnership by offering strategic guidance on integrating ocean governance and the blue economy. It highlights how both continents can unlock the blue economy’s potential, support sustainable growth through emerging sectors, and align investment for long-term impact. The paper promotes a more cohesive and forward-looking AU-EU approach to shared ocean priorities – especially in the lead-up to the 7th AU-EU Heads of State Summit and as the EU advances its Ocean Pact.

• 'Mobilizing Youth for Ocean Action: Launch of the Global Youth Coalition'
  Location: Blue Zone, Room 1

This high-level side event, supported by the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF), and led by the Government of Kiribati in collaboration with the Governments of Palau and Chile, brings together a broad network of partners including the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and additional NGOs, youth and academic organisations.

The event will feature two dynamic panel discussions focused on fostering intergenerational dialogue and showcasing successful models for youth participation in shaping the blue economy and ocean science-policy interfaces. This includes how youth-led networks and coalition-building can drive ocean innovation, equity, and resilience in ocean governance and blue economy.

• 'Africa-Mediterranean-Europe Cooperation (AMEC)'
  Location: Blue Zone, Room 1

Building on the momentum of the Blue Africa Summit in October 2024, the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF) is partnering with the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and La Saison Bleue to co-host a high-level side event, convening key actors from Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean to define a stronger partnership framework, drawing on the Roadmap Towards 2030: Co-driving the Africa-Europe Ocean Partnership’, an initiative facilitated by the Africa-Europe Foundation Strategy Group on Ocean Governance, jointly with the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the African Union Commission (AUC), providing an operational blueprint to unlock cooperation between the two continents.