On the opening day of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025), more than 200 guests gathered on the evening of 9 June, 2025, at Villa Arson in Nice for the presentation of the Protection Principle Task Force, the culmination of two years of advocacy and coalition-building under the Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean initiative.
Framed by the Becoming Ocean art exhibition, the event brought together ministers, scientists, philanthropists, and civil society leaders, and marked the official launch of a bold new initiative that asks a simple question: What if ocean protection became the rule, not the exception?
The idea, born from the Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean campaign, has matured into a coalition of more than 110 organizations—and now, into a Task Force with the mandate to transform that question into policy, and into law.
We’re already speaking with potential members of the Task Force.
The very next day, the Protection Principle got traction at the UNOC Plenary, where it was mentioned at least three times—a remarkable endorsement just 24 hours after its formal unveiling.
Opening the Evening: Art meets Policy
Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, Chair of TBA21, welcome guests to Villa Arson:
“This is where art, science, and policy converge. It is my pleasure to present the Protection Principle Task Force, building on the work of Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean, supported by six visionary partners.
One issue which is very close to my heart is the protection of the deep sea, especially to prevent deep sea mining. I’m glad that one of the issues in the Terms of Reference for the Task Force refers to this directly.”
This is the leadership we need
The next speakers, Dona Bertarelli and Romain Troublé, delivered powerful statements affirming their support and outlining what’s ahead.
Dona Bertarelli, Executive Chair, Dona Bertarelli Philanthropies, emphasized the campaign’s boldness:
“Ocean advocates always struggle to move the issue of ocean protection beyond the usual suspects—and that’s certainly what you are doing. It takes guts to make proposals outside the box.
I’m delighted to see that more than 110 different organizations have now joined Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean. This is the leadership we need.
When we started campaigning for the 30×30 target, many thought it was too ambitious. The same with the BBNJ agreement. And yet, they’ve advanced. The Protection Principle is next—it will become real.”
Romain Troublé, CEO of the Tara Ocean Foundation and President of the Ocean & Climate Platform, laid out the path forward:
“The momentum behind the Protection Principle is irreversible. Everyone’s appreciation of the ocean is changing—more urgently, more deeply than ever before.
The Protection Task Force we are launching will be a multidisciplinary group of experts from five continents—blending law, policy, science, ethics, and culture.
We’ll announce its full composition in a few months so it can begin work in 2026 and deliver its recommendations in 2027—one year before UNOC4.”
A Vision for Ocean Governance Transformation
Rémi Parmentier, coordinator of Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean, reflected on the journey and the need to think big:
“I come from a time when Environment Ministries didn’t exist. Today, when I propose creating Ministries of the Ocean, I hear the same resistance. But we’ve been here before—and we’ve changed the system before.
We’re already speaking with potential members. It will be a transparent, representative, and bold group—everything we need at this turning point.”
Encouragement from Brazil, Chile, and the EU
The evening turned political, as three high-level leaders took the stage.
Maisa Rojas, Chile’s Environment Minister and co-chair of the next UNOC, spoke with conviction:
“Chile already protects 43% of our Exclusive Economic Zone. But protection is more than numbers—it’s about systems.
This initiative will help drive international ocean processes. It brings much-needed synergy across environmental agendas.”
Ana Toni, CEO of COP30 in Brazil, called for structural change:
Brazil has 37 ministries. I think we should have 38—one for Ocean and Climate.
Let’s continue what you started here in Nice, and bring it to Belém this November. We want COP30 to also be an Ocean COP. Bring your solutions, bring your ambition.
Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, expressed her encouragement to embedding in her video message:
For many years, I have been involved in ocean action. The remarkable partnership of the Varda Group with six core partners—and with the Government of Chile—has already made remarkable achievements.
I congratulate you for launching the Protection Principle Task Force. This is about shifting the burden of proof—so that ocean protection becomes the starting point, not the afterthought.
Avoiding uncontrolled exploitation of ocean resources is not just wise policy—it is simply the right way to behave. This idea is timely. It needs to rise.”
From Villa Arson to the UNOC Plenary
The very next day, the Protection Principle took center stage at the UNOC Plenary, where it was quoted three times—a remarkable endorsement just 24 hours after its formal unveiling.
