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UN World Oceans Day 2025

Hosted by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS) in partnership with and made possible by Oceanic Global.

UN WOD 2025 Theme

Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us

 

 

This World Ocean’s Day, join us as we celebrate the ocean’s essential wonder —from all the wonders it consists of to the wonder it ignites.

 

The ocean’s wonder is what draws us in and drives our desire to protect it. Wonder is the foundation of scientific knowledge, the allure behind exploration, the curiosity that drives innovation, and the seed of traditional wisdom. In the face of increasingly daunting challenges, the act of wondering serves to remind us that we are part of something bigger. It wakes us up to the inherent connection to the earth and to each other, expands our understanding of what is possible, empowers innovation and prioritizes decision-making for collective wellbeing. While the ocean sustains our planet, wonder sustains our humanity. If the warnings haven’t changed us, wonder is what will.

 

Film Produced and Edited by Kogia.

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UN WOD 2025

About UN WOD 2025

On 8 June 2025, United Nations World Oceans Day opened the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France (9 – 13 June, 2025). The unique alignment of two major UN ocean events served as an unprecedented opportunity to amplify visibility and collaborative efforts for the ocean. Nodding to the special nature of the occasion, World Oceans Day 2025 celebrated the theme “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us.

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Flag Ceremony & Parade of Boats

This year’s World Oceans Day celebration took place on June 8th in Nice, France, ahead of the UN Ocean Conference. With the 2025 theme Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us the day’s program set the tone for the semi-annual conference and called on decision-makers at UNOC and around the world to honor the ocean’s wonder when determining its fate.

 

UN WOD 2025 was marked by a boat parade, gathering vessels around the world in a journey from Monaco to Nice, along with the official raising of the World Oceans Day flag. Global ocean leaders including Sylvia Earle and Fabien Cousteau were presented with flags ahead of the World Oceans Day Parade of Boats. The flag was officially raised by Fabien Cousteau aboard the Tara, which kick-started the raising of the World Oceans Day flag by not only the local fleet, but also by cities and UN Member States worldwide. The symbolic moment unified global stakeholders to celebrate the ocean as our world’s greatest wonder and call on decision-makers to treat it that way.

 

Flags were made possible by Solgaard.

2025 Photo Competition

The Photo Competition for UN World Oceans Day was curated by Ellen Cuylaerts and a jury composed of world-renowned individuals. 2025 Marks the 12th year of the annual photo competition, which included a celebratory presentation at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

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Sea of Stars Reception

Music & Cocktails Celebrating The Ocean's Wonder

The Sea of Stars reception was a luminous celebration of World Oceans Day and the opening of the UN Ocean Conference, honoring the Ocean and its stewards. The evening gathered a vibrant community of Ocean advocates, policymakers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and indigenous knowledge holders, all united in their commitment to protecting our blue planet.

 

Highlights included a moving tribute by Sonic Weaver, Whaia, and inspiring remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General Elinor Hammarskjöld.

 

With Gratitude to our Partners:

 

Ways to Take Action

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Amplify the Campaign using the UN WOD 2025 Marketing Toolkit

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join the ‘Friends of World Oceans Day’ Community: An informal community of individuals and organizations active in ocean affairs to support the marking of UN WOD and related activities.

REGISTER YOUR EVENT

Opportunity to register your UN WOD Events on the official calendar to engage the community in global Ocean Action.

Marking UN World Oceans Day

Since its inception in 2008, United Nations World Oceans Day (UN WOD) has celebrated the ocean in recognition of its importance as the sustainer of all life on earth. As the challenges to the ocean continue to grow, so does the need to understand them and to mobilize globally.

Discover Past Events

Explore Previous UN World Oceans Day Events

Awaken New Depths

SEE 2024 EVENT

Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing

SEE 2023 EVENT

Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean

SEE 2022 EVENT