On the occasion of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), the French Ministry for Ecological Transition – through the General Commission for Sustainable Development (CGDD) and the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) – will host an official side event entitled “AI & BlueTech: The Next Wave of Ocean Protection.”
Organized in partnership with international actors across science, industry, finance, and civil society, the event will explore how artificial intelligence and marine technologies can contribute to ocean conservation, pollution reduction, and coastal resilience. It will also address the opportunities, risks, and governance challenges associated with these emerging tools.
This side event is open to a broad audience, from policymakers and researchers to entrepreneurs, NGOs, and the general public. It is designed to foster dialogue, highlight concrete and scalable solutions, and promote international cooperation toward a more sustainable and innovative blue economy.
Participation is free of charge, but prior registration is required. The event will take place in the Green Zone of the Palais des Expositions in Nice, France.
For more information and to register:
- UNOC-3 Green Zone Access: https://we-are-the-ocean.com/register
- Side Event Registration: https://www.eventbrite.fr/e/ai-blue-tech-the-next-wave-of-ocean-protection-tickets-1382014094359
- EDHEC Event Registration : https://alumni.edhec.edu/fr/group/france-cote-d-azur-nice/57/calendar/edhec-by-nature-ocean-impact-forum/2025/06/10/22207
SEQUENCE 1: 11:30 – 12:15, ORCA Room, The Whale, Palais des Expositions
11:30 – 11:40 | Opening Remarks
- Brice Huet, Commissioner General for Sustainable Development, French Ministry Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea, and Fisheries
Event Facilitators:
- Nicolas Occhiminuti, Co-founder, Waves of Change
- Mathilda D’Silva, CEO, Ocean Purpose Project
11:40 – 12:00 | Panel Discussion
Theme: How can innovation through AI and BlueTech help reconcile human activities, ocean protection, and coastal resilience?
Moderator: Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, CEO, World Ocean Council
Speakers:
- Scientific Organization: Rachel Tiller, Chief Scientist, Department of Fisheries and New Biomarine Resources, SINTEF Ocean
- Business Sector: Yves Soufflet, CEO, Waves’n See (AI-powered coastal risk monitoring)
- Coastal Territory: Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice Metropole
12:10 – 12:25 | Screening & Presentation
Theme: Plastic Pollution in the Oceans
Objective: Raise awareness of plastic pollution and its impacts on oceans, while showcasing actionable solutions.
Format: Screening and presentation
Proposal: Presentation on the scale of the ocean plastic crisis and cleanup solutions for rivers and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, developed by The Ocean Cleanup. Beyond physical collection systems, the organization will showcase how AI-powered modeling helps map global plastic flows to target the most sensitive areas. A short film will be screened alongside an interactive presentation.
Hosted by: Société Générale
Speaker:
- Montgomery Simus, Global Director of Public Affairs, Policy, and Blue Finance, The Ocean Cleanup
SEQUENCE 2: 13:45 – 15:00, European Pavilion for a Digital Ocean, The Whale, Palais des Expositions
13:45 – 13:55 | Opening Remarks
Alain Arnaud, Head of the Digital Ocean Department, Mercator Ocean International
Event Facilitator: Minh Tâm Hua, Blue Innovation Project Manager, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, French Ministry Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea, and Fisheries
13:55 – 14:05 | Scientific Keynote
Theme: Ocean 2050 – What challenges for innovation and science?
Objective: Overview of key oceanic challenges by 2050 (biodiversity, plastic pollution, warming, sea level rise) and the critical role of science and AI in addressing them.
Speaker: Nayat Sanchez-Pi, CEO of Inria Chile and Director of the Binational Franco-Chilean Center on AI
14:05 – 14:15 | Inspiring keynote
Speaker: Zoi KONSTANTINOU, European Commission DG MARE
14:15 – 14:40 | Pitch Session – “Innovating for the Oceans”
Theme: Startups and companies engaged in BlueTech and AI
Objective: Highlight concrete innovations supporting water quality, pollution reduction, maritime decarbonization, etc.
Moderator: Claire Dorville, Europe and International Project Manager, General Commission for Sustainable Development, French Ministry Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea, and Fisheries
Pitches:
- Samuel Dupont, CEO, Biocéanor (BlueTech Index-listed company) – AI for real-time water quality monitoring
- Frédéric Mittaine, CEO, Cosma (Ifremer-incubated startup) – Underwater drones for benthic ecosystem mapping
- James Harrison, CEO, Blue Coast Carbon – Restoration of nature-based carbon sinks
- Reverse Pitch: Seydina Issa Laye Sambe, Mayor of Dakar/Yoff (Senegal)
14:40 – 15:00 | Institutionnal closing and announcements
- French French Ministry Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea, and Fisheries
SEQUENCE 3: 18:30 – 21:00 – Ocean Impact Forum, EDHEC Business School Nice Campus
EDHEC Alumni and Waves of Change are hosting an evening event bringing together committed stakeholders to explore synergies between environmental impact and the economic world.
