Blue Talk: Ocean pollution and adapting maritime transport standards

Ahead of June’s pivotal UN Ocean Conference (UNOC III), this event spotlights ocean pollution and maritime decarbonisation.

Date: 2025-05-27

Time: 10:00 to 16:30

Venue: TBC, Durban

Mounting carbon emissions, abandoned fishing gear and rampant marine debris imperil marine ecosystems, devastate fisheries and tourism, and impose steep cleanup costs. Holistic solutions involving national and international cooperation are vital.

Ahead of the Third UN Ocean Conference in June, the second in a series of ocean protection events will discuss Southern African priorities, marine plastic pollution and sustainable maritime transport. The event aims to foster commitment to ocean protection, with a focus on Southern Africa’s role in shaping sustainable maritime futures.

This event is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies, the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi and the City of Durban.

Agenda outline

Panel 1: Integrating South and Southern African vision into UNOC III framework

Panel 2: Addressing plastic pollution in our oceans: challenges and the way forward

Panel 3: Towards a more sustainable and resilient maritime transport in South Africa