Background
The 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice brought together world leaders, Indigenous representatives, scientists, and civil society to accelerate ocean action. With two plenary, and Ocean Action Panel sessions each day, alongside multiple high-level events and over 450 side events across the week, the pace was relentless, and key announcements could be easily missed.
To meet this challenge, Communications INC deployed a team to monitor statements, speeches, key announcements, and online conversations providing real-time updates and analysis to support campaign teams working on the ground.
Objective
To support advocacy and communications efforts at UNOC3 by:
- Capturing key interventions and announcements in real time
- Enabling clients to monitor developments across issues and countries, without missing critical moments
- Providing live updates, strategic context, and follow-up support tailored to campaign goals
Approach and delivery
We established a live monitoring operation throughout UNOC3 that combined tech tools with a hands-on team approach:
- Plenary and Ocean Action Panel Listening and Keyword Tracking
Using live transcription and human verification to capture and share timely insights, we tracked selected keywords across plenary speeches, Ocean Action panels, and official events, including “30×30”, “BBNJ”, “deep-sea mining”, “Ratification”, “MPAs”, and “Indigenous rights”.
- Real-Time Intelligence Sharing
During UNOC, captured quotes, summaries, and intel were shared with clients and campaign leads via WhatsApp, email, and in-person huddles enabling them to track momentum, respond to press narratives, and reinforce advocacy messages. - Field-Tested Methodology
We operated with the awareness that real-time tracking isn’t perfect. Fast-paced sessions, overlapping events, and occasional technical glitches meant there were limits, but overall, our system delivered a reliable overview of what was being said, by whom, and where it mattered. To ensure quality and accuracy, we also deployed a dedicated team to oversee the monitoring process—reviewing outputs, verifying key quotes, and ensuring that the information shared with partners was timely, relevant, and campaign-ready.
- Plenary and Ocean Action Panel Listening and Keyword Tracking
Impact
Campaign Specific Support in Action
We tailored our intelligence to campaign needs.
For example:
High Seas Treaty
We tracked and verified ratification announcements in real time, cutting through confusion around official numbers and helping partners maintain message accuracy. This was especially valuable during the High Seas Treaty event on 9 June, when 18 countries deposited their instruments of ratification, including Greece, Fiji, and Jamaica. By the end of the week, 50 ratifications had been confirmed, with an additional 20 new signatories, bringing the total to 136.
As French President Emmanuel Macron announced:
“We can say that the Treaty on the High Seas will soon be implemented. So that is an achievement.” (Opening Plenary)
Our monitoring helped campaigners reinforce this milestone while also supporting journalists in navigating the confusion surrounding ratification numbers, particularly after President Macron’s celebratory remark during his opening statement suggested the 60-country threshold for entry into force had already been met or would be reached by the end of the week. With varying tallies between plenary statements, press briefings, and the official UN count, our verified updates provided clarity at a critical moment.
Deep-Sea Mining
Throughout the week, we tracked rising support for a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining. Our updates enabled the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) and partners to respond quickly to developments, such as Latvia, Cyprus, Slovenia, and the Marshall Islands joining the call, raising the total number of governments supporting a moratorium to 37.
We also captured private sector shifts, flagging key announcements from Credit Agricole, BNP Paribas, and Caisse des Dépôts, which declared they would not finance deep-sea mining projects supporting narrative efforts around risk and accountability. By tracking multiple sessions simultaneously, we were able to provide clients with a holistic view of the issues shaping discussions at UNOC.
MPAs and 30×30
Momentum behind the 30×30 target was strong throughout the week, with new marine protection commitments. Our monitoring flagged new or updated marine protection commitments from at least seven countries, including Colombia, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Comoros, Libya, Papua New Guinea, and Panama which announced it had already protected 54% of its marine areas and is aiming for 60% by 2030.
“We have protected more than 54% of our marine lands… we might make it 60 by 2030.” — Panama (Plenary, 10 June)
We monitored these pledges and flagged them to partners in real time. We also tracked announcements aligned with the ambitions of the 100% Alliance, including French Polynesia’s commitment to protect its entire EEZ of over 5 million km², 1.1 million km² of which is already strictly protected.
These timely insights helped our clients assess the strength of commitments, identify follow-up needs, and share highlights through their own channels.
All quotes and summaries were captured in a searchable internal database, which remains available to our clients and campaign partners on request.
IMPACT
- Clients were able to act swiftly on new developments, without being physically present in every room.
- Campaigners received timely updates to support social media, media briefings, and high-level engagement.
- OneOcean Flotilla members and communications leads were able to coordinate messaging and amplify wins across shared channels.
BEYOND UNOC
This work is part of a broader strategic service we offer at major global fora, including the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the BBNJ PrepComms, and Our Ocean conferences. Our approach combines listening, insight, and distribution, ensuring partners have what they need to navigate fast-paced political moments with clarity and confidence.
To access our UNOC3 insights database, or to find out how we can support your campaign during the next major event, get in touch.