The Pelagos Sanctuary took part in the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the most significant global event dedicated to ocean protection, held in Nice from June 9 to 13. Within the immersive space “La Baleine,” Pelagos hosted an institutional event on Mediterranean Day (June 10) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement between Italy, France, and the Principality of Monaco for the protection of marine mammals in the Mediterranean.

The event brought together political representatives, scientific institutions, and ambassadors from the world of sports, all united by the mission to protect an extraordinary marine area, rich in biodiversity yet increasingly threatened by human activities.

Maria Betti, Executive Secretary of the Sanctuary, opened the event by thanking the three signatory States for their shared commitment, emphasizing the importance of multilevel cooperation—international, regional, and local—involving a wide range of stakeholders. Claudio Barbaro (Italy), Isabelle Rosabrunetto (Monaco), and Célia De Lavergne (France) reaffirmed the value of the agreement as an operational tool for species conservation, highlighting the key role of local communities and citizen engagement.

Two round tables followed: the first focused on tools for engaging local stakeholders, such as the Partnership Charter with municipalities—represented by Richard Chemla (City of Nice) and Giulia Gambini (City of Pisa)—and the Pelagos Ambassadors (Andrea Gerli and Flora Artzner), who stressed the commitment of recreational boaters to spreading best practices at sea.

The second round table addressed collaborations beyond the Sanctuary’s borders, highlighting the Pelagos Agreement’s contribution to the implementation of the PSSA in the Northwestern Mediterranean. Vincent Szleper (French Ministry) and international experts such as Martha Rojas Urrego (IWC), Annalisa Minelli (INFO/RAC), and Florian Champion (RAMOGE) shared examples of joint projects and concrete proposals for the future.

A moment of reflection and revitalization, underlining that the future of the ocean also depends on data sharing, environmental education, and a participatory, science-based governance.