The Alpes-Maritimes is set to play a significant role in France’s 2025 Year of the Sea initiative, a nationwide programme featuring over 130 events aimed at raising awareness of maritime issues, from the importance of ocean preservation projects to the worrying losses of marine biodiversity in French waters. With several large-scale events planned for this stretch of the Côte d’Azur, including the ocean-themed Nice Carnival and the UN Ocean Conference in June, the Alpes-Maritimes will be at the heart of this major environmental movement.
France is celebrating the Year of the Sea in 2025, a national initiative aimed at highlighting the crucial issues of its maritime domain. The event complements the third United Nations Conference on the Ocean (UNOC), a globally significant environmental diplomatic event co-organised by France and Costa Rica, to be held in Nice in June.
The Year of the Sea initiative was officially launched on 11th February by Agnès Pannier-Runacher, France’s Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea and Fisheries, with the inauguration of the travelling exhibition concept, La Mer en Tournée, at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Paris.
This mobile exhibition will soon begin travelling across France, stopping at various events where it will function as an interactive maritime-themed space featuring exhibits, a specialised bookstore and conferences.
Additionally, a diverse array of local events will be held in towns and cities across the country throughout the year, from conferences and exhibitions to festivals and sporting activities. These events aim to foster a greater connection between the public and the marine world.
EVENTS IN THE ALPES-MARITIMES
The Alpes-Maritimes department is hosting several significant events over the course of 2025, each contributing to the national effort to highlight the importance of marine conservation.
Perhaps the biggest event is UNOC in June, when Nice will be at the epicentre of global discussions between world leaders on ocean conservation, sustainable resource development and methods for supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Another standout event is the 2025 Nice Carnival, which has adopted a ‘King of the Oceans’ theme to align with the Year of the Sea. This edition of the iconic festival, which is already underway, will celebrate the beauty of the underwater world while promoting environmental responsibility. The carnival’s floats, performances and artistic displays have been designed to emphasise the urgency of protecting marine ecosystems while creating a vibrant and engaging platform for ocean advocacy.
For more information on the 2025 Year of the Sea and to see the full list of local and national events, click here.
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