European University of the SEAS: Bridging Sustainability to the Global Coastal Areas of our Only Ocean
The high-level 2025 United Nations (UN) Conference to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development – the 2025 UN Ocean Conference – will be held in Nice, France, from 9 –13 June 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. The overarching theme of the Conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.
The Conference will involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and the 2030 Agenda in general. It will build on existing instruments to form successful partnerships towards the swift conclusion and effective implementation of ongoing processes that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean.
In parallel with the official program of the United Nations Ocean Conference 2025, the virtual side event entitled “European University of the SEAS: Bridging Sustainability to the Global Coastal areas of our only Ocean”, promoted by the University of Algarve within the framework of the SEA-EU, will take place on 9 June. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss critical issues, exchange best practices, foster partnerships and promote international cooperation. Side events also provide opportunities to showcase voluntary commitments registered on the Voluntary Ocean Commitments database.
2025 United Nations Ocean Conference | Side Event Details
Schedule: 2pm – 5pm (CET)/8am – 11am (EST);
Venue: Virtual (Zoom);
Language of the Conference: English;
Description: The European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), an Erasmus+ Initiative of Excellence, is actively contributing to the accelerated implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by mobilizing global actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.
This side event, “Bridging Sustainability to the Global Coastal Areas of Our Only Ocean”, will present two key initiatives:
- The SEA-EU Global Gateway Declaration – a voluntary commitment that links innovative teaching and learning practices to the blue sustainability of coastal regions worldwide;
- The SEA-EU Future Leadership Forum – a platform where young researchers, nominated by current leaders of SEA-EU partner universities, come together to discuss institutional progress towards SDG 14 (Life Below Water), as well as related goals including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Through these initiatives, SEA-EU aims to strengthen global cooperation and foster a new generation of ocean leaders dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and democratic values.
Participants:
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European University of the Seas – Representing the Universities of Cadiz (UCA), Western Brittany (UBO), Kiel (CAU), Gdansk (UG), Split (UNIST), Malta (UM), Algarve (UALG), Naples (UPN) and Nord (NU);
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Global External Partners – Odesa I.I.Mechnikov National University (ONU), University of Namibe (UNINBE), Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Technical University of the Atlantic (UTA), Eduardo Mondlane University (EMU), State University of Amapá (UEAP), The Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), University of Quebec at Rimouski – Artic Network (UQAR) and University of San Pedro (USP).
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For more information on the UN Conference, please visit the official website.
Programme
Welcome Session
General host/moderator: Alexandra Teodósio – SEA-EU/UAlg Vice-Rector for Internationalisation)
14:00 – 14:10 Introduction of the Event – Antonio Garofalo (Rector of the University of Naples Parthenope and President of the Alliance);
14:10 – 14:20 Background of SEA-EU – Marcela Iglesias (General Coordinator, University of Cádiz);
14:20 – 14:40 Innovative Blue Higher Education/Joint Degrees – Fernando Pérez (General Director for European Projects and SEA-EU, University of Cádiz);
14:40 – 15:00 SEA-EU Observatories – Ángeles Jiménez (Coordinator of the Observatory of Migration and Human Rights, University of Cádiz); Merica Slišković (Representative of the Observatory of Blue Economy, University of Split).
Future Leadership Forum (FLF) Session
Moderator: Joana Rodrigues (Senior Communication Technician at SEA-EU Alliance/University of Algarve)
15:00 Introduction of the Future Leadership Forum (FLF) | Positioning HEI’s key contribution to the SDGs – Vito Pascazio (Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of the University of Naples Parthenope);
15:05 Representative of UCA at the FLF – Beatriz Gasalla (Predoctoral Researcher);
15:10 Representative of UBO at the FLF – Vianney Pichereau (1st Vice-Rector of University of Western Brittany);
15:15 Representative of CAU at the FLF – Leah Schroedter (Coordinator for the Development of flexible curricula with Marine Modules);
15:20 Representative of UG at the FLF – Agata Weydmann-Zwolicka (Professor);
15:25 Representative of UNIST at the FLF – Frano Matić (Professor);
15: 30 Representative of UM at the FLF – Ritienne Gauci (Senior Lecturer);
15:35 Representative of UALG at the FLF – Cláudia Almeida (Professor and Researcher);
15:40 Representative of UPN at the FLF – Roberto Sandulli (Professor);
15:45 Representative of NU at the FLF – Tove Holm (Local Manager for SEA-EU at Nord University);
(Global External Partners)
15:50 Odesa I.I.Mechnikov National University (ONU), Ukraine – Andrii Smitiukh (Vice-Rector for International Cooperation);
15:55 University of Namibe (UNINBE), Angola – Domingas Quiatuhanga (PhD Student and Teaching Assistant);
16:00 Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Ghana – Maame Nkrumah (Associate Professor);
16:05 Atlantic Technical University (UTA), Cabo Verde – Corrine Almeida (Director of the Master Research Programme in Climate Change and Marine Sciences);
16:15 Eduardo Mondlane University (EMU), Mozambique – Jeremias Mocuba (PhD Student);
16:20 State University of Amapá (UEAP), Brazil – Dara Aline (Graduating Student);
16:25 The Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), Brazil – Mayerly Alexandra Guerrero-Moreno (PhD Student);
16:30 University of Quebec at Rimouski (UQAR), Canada – Fanny Noisette (Professor);
16: 35 University of San Pedro (USP), Ivory Coast – Méke Meité (President);
16:40 Future Leadership Forum – Science Communication: Awareness for Epistemic Equity – Manuel Célio Conceição (Professor at UAlg and Task Leader of T6.3).
SEA-EU Voluntary Ocean Commitment and Closing
16:45 Voluntary Ocean Commitment Presentation and Closing Remarks – Alexandra Teodósio.
