UNOC3 in Nice: “The blue economy is not an ecological luxury: it is a strategic necessity”

“The blue economy is not an ecological luxury; it is a strategic necessity.”

With these words, His Majesty King Mohammed VI conveyed, in his message to the participants of the Africa for the Ocean Summit, the Kingdom’s strategic vision for the sustainable development of maritime spaces. This powerful message resonated during the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), held in Nice from June 9 to 13, 2025.

This royal statement sounded like a call to place the blue economy at the center of a new development model for Africa and maritime regions, built on three key pillars: sustainable blue growth, strengthened South-South cooperation, and regional integration driven by oceanic dynamics, especially across the Atlantic.

“The blue economy is not a luxury,” His Majesty King Mohammed VI stressed once again in a strong message read by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa to the participants of the Africa for the Ocean Summit. This message was reaffirmed at UNOC-3 in Nice (June 9–13, 2025), serving as a clear call to strategically rethink Africa’s maritime role around three core areas: sustainable blue growth, enhanced South-South cooperation, and regional integration shaped by ocean dynamics, particularly in the Atlantic.

In this context, Morocco’s participation at UNOC-3 was marked by a strong institutional, scientific, and diplomatic presence, reaffirming its commitment to ocean sustainability and regional and international cooperation.