Year of Ocean 2025

In support of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and in anticipation of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice (June 2025), Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi has declared 2025 as the “Year of Ocean.” This university-wide initiative highlights the university’s commitment to advancing ocean research, public awareness, and sustainable development in line with the UAE’s 2030 Green Agenda and UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water. 

Situated in a coastal capital and at the crossroads of marine biodiversity, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi plays a strategic role in driving dialogue, education, and science-based action for ocean sustainability. 

Objectives 

The Year of Ocean aims to: 

• Strengthen marine and coastal research through the newly launched Ocean Institute 
• Support national and global ocean policy and urban planning through evidence-based insights 
• Empower youth and students to engage with ocean-related challenges 
• Promote a culture of sustainability through exhibitions, public events, and interdisciplinary learning 

Research & Innovation 

• Fieldwork and data collection on marine biodiversity, coastal resilience, and water quality using cutting-edge tools such as environmental DNA and bioacoustics 
  
• Collaboration with global institutions including the Sorbonne Alliance and the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) 

Policy & Industry Dialogue 

• Hosting the international conference: "Towards the UN Ocean Conference 2025: Science, Policy & Blue Economy", bringing together stakeholders from government, academia, and industry 
  
• Launch of the Ocean Institute with a dedicated inaugural event and collaboration with partners such as the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi 

Education & Youth Engagement 

• Integration of ocean literacy across academic programmes 
  
• Student field missions, internships, and educational workshops focused on marine sciences and sustainability 

Culture & Public Awareness 

• Film screenings such as “Ωcéans”, public lectures, and interactive exhibitions such as “An Ocean of Plankton”, designed to engage the wider community through art and science 

Expected Impact 

• Generation of locally relevant data to inform UAE coastal policy, urban planning, and sustainable marine practices 
  
• Development of a regional talent pipeline in marine science, environmental policy, and ocean technologies 
• Contribution to global platforms including the UN Ocean Conference and the Nice Ocean Action Plan, showcasing the UAE’s role in advancing ocean sustainability 

Join the Movement 

Throughout 2025, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will host a dynamic calendar of research missions, public events, and academic initiatives under the Year of Ocean banner. The university invites institutions, researchers, students, and industry partners to collaborate in shaping a more sustainable future for oceans and coastal communities