by Géraldine Crevat
BPW International proudly participated in the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, held from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Nice, France, with a powerful delegation of representatives advocating for environmental protection and sustainable development. Representing our global organization were:
- Jo Kinsey, Chair of the Twinning Taskforce
- Siiri Tiivits Puttonen, Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Development Standing Committee
- Beatrice Vanzo, Member of the UN Standing Committee
- Geraldine Crevat, Intercontinental Mobility Task Force
Their presence at this high-level global conference emphasized BPW International’s ongoing commitment to shaping policies and actions that protect our oceans while ensuring women’s leadership and perspectives are at the heart of sustainable change.
UNOC 3 Mission: Accelerating the Implementation of SDG 14
The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) aimed to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), which focuses on the protection of aquatic life and the health of our oceans.
This mission faces political, financial, and scientific challenges.
To preserve the ocean—which covers 70% of the Earth's surface—we must adopt a cross-sectoral approach and implement intelligent, integrated action plans aligned with SDG 14.
The Essential Role of Women in Ocean Conservation.
At the UNOC 3 Conference, the vital link between ocean health and all the Sustainable Development Goals was reaffirmed. A key message shared by all participants emerged : Just like men, women must be at the heart of marine sustainability and ocean governance.
A Concerning Underrepresentation:
Women make up only 29% of the global maritime workforce.
Less than 2% of seafarers are women.
Only 12.5% of ocean-related ministries worldwide are led by women.
The maritime sector is still largely considered a “male domain,” limiting women’s access to ocean-related careers, scientific research, and decision-making roles in environmental governance.
Why Women Are Essential:
SDG 2 & SDG 5: Women play a key role in ensuring food security and nutrition for their families.
SDG 13 & SDG 14: They are vital actors in climate resilience, sustainable fishing, and coastal ecosystem restoration (e.g. mangrove planting).
SDG 4 & SDG 9: Training and entrepreneurship programs (e.g. Aqua Schools, aquaculture initiatives) exist but remain largely inaccessible to women in rural and island communities.
Call to Action:
- Involve women at every level : policymaking, research, innovation, education, finance, and media.
- Engage women in major international initiatives and international open scientific platforms.
- Raise awareness of women’s rights in sustainable fishing, and encourage their collaboration with local authorities and institutions
- Sharing of local know-how at the international level : local traditional fishing and how knowledge is handed down through generations - sustainable, adapted to local ecosystems.
Conclusion: Increasing women's participation in ocean protection can only strengthen the effectiveness of climate strategies, promote the sustainable management of marine resources and ensure a more equitable future for future generations.
