Galápagos at UNOC3 – Nice: Experienced Voices in Marine Conservation
, June 25, 2025
As part of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference, the Galápagos Life Fund (GLF) participated in two key events that reinforced Galápagos’ position as a global leader in marine conservation. From June 7 to 13, a GLF delegation attended high-level sessions that brought together governments, scientists, organizations, and funders committed to protecting the ocean.
On June 7 and 8, GLF Executive Director Mónica Calvopiña participated in the Blue Economy & Finance Forum (BEFF), a pre-conference event focused on innovative ocean financing mechanisms. The forum highlighted GLF’s financial management model, which is already supporting concrete projects in the archipelago and aligns with the global 30×30 goal to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
The GLF, together with a coalition of locally active organizations, also participated in the event “Ecuador’s Hermandad Marine Reserve: When the Pieces of the Puzzle are in Place” led by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition. During this session, the official submission of the Hermandad Marine Reserve (HMR) nomination to UNESCO and its candidacy as a World Heritage Site were announced.
The Galápagos delegation stood out for its strong female representation—an encouraging sign of a shift toward more diverse and inclusive participation in international forums. The event featured renowned marine biologist Sylvia Earle, whose lifelong advocacy for the oceans continues to inspire women leading conservation efforts around the world.
Mónica Calvopiña, Executive Director of GLF, highlighted: “Participating in international forums like the Ocean Conference is essential for the archipelago. These are the spaces where critical decisions about the future of the oceans are made—and Galápagos has both the voice and the experience to contribute.” GLF’s presence underscored its growing role in the global agenda, bringing science, innovation, and equity to the forefront of sustainable development goals.
The conference concluded with notable commitments: 37 countries declared opposition to deep-sea mining in international waters, an agreement was reached to accelerate the entry into force of the High Seas Treaty by 2026, and the European Union announced a €1 billion investment in 50 global ocean projects.
