The ocean provides significant social, economic, and environmental benefits to human well-being. It is central to global food security, supports rich biodiverse habitats, provides vital ecosystem services, and absorbs 31% of carbon dioxide emissions.
The ocean economy is valued between $3 trillion and $6 trillion per year, directly sustaining at least 150 million jobs across diverse sectors, including but not limited to fishing, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, offshore wind energy, and marine biotechnology.
The 5th United Nations Ocean Forum on trade-related aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 14 seeks to gather and prepare a cohesive set of policy recommendations to contribute to the discussions at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, on 9-13 June 2025 and UNCTAD 16 in Viet Nam, in October 2025.
With the support of the UNCTAD Secretariat, these recommendations will be compiled by France and Costa Rica, the co-chairs of the Forum, in the form of the Chairs’ summary.
The Forum will explore the intersection of ocean economies, trade policy, climate, and development.
This note provides background information and potential recommendations for the consideration of Member States and the co-chairs, structured around the Forum’s high-level segment and five thematic sessions.
Discussions will cover current trade-related trends in the ocean economy, including its decarbonisation, potential of South-South trade in fisheries and aquaculture products, trade policies and tools for innovative marine-based, sustainable, and low-carbon products, and blue finance for a sustainable ocean economy.
The note underscores the urgent need for transformative action to address the interconnected climate, social, and economic challenges facing the ocean economy; challenges that demand international cooperation.
It also emphasises the critical role of trade and finance as vital drivers of sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and resilience.