As the world prepares for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica from 9 to 13 June in Nice, Colombo has taken its place in the global dialogue on the future of our oceans.
Organised by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI), a high-level panel discussion took place this Friday (30 May), to explore Sri Lanka’s strategic role in the Indian Ocean and its growing engagement in sustainable ocean governance.
As an island nation at the heart of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has a vital stake in maritime global discussions and a unique role to play in shaping a sustainable maritime future.
His Excellency Rémi Lambert, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka, welcomed the growing cooperation between France and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, and highlighted the recent establishment of the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies (RCMS) at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Colombo, an initiative supported by France as a concrete example of this deepening partnership.
A week before the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3), the French Ambassador expressed France’s hope that Sri Lanka will soon ratify the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), thereby reinforcing its role as a key player in the global effort to protect the ocean commons.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Laila Nazarali, Senior Human Rights Advisor for the United Nations highlighted the pivotal role of UNOC-3 in accelerating progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 and called for greater collective ambition ahead of the Nice conference.
The panel discussion was moderated by Asiri Fernando, award-winning journalist and editor of The Daily Morning. It brought together experts from across science, economics, industry, security, and diplomacy, reflecting the interconnected challenges facing the oceans. The panel discussion convened prominent Sri Lankan voices to explore how the island can leverage its strategic location in the Indian Ocean within the broader Indo-Pacific regional architecture, while upholding international law and promoting environmental responsibility.
The panelists were:
Dr. K.H.M.L. Amaralal, Deputy Director General at NARA;
Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Visiting Senior Fellow at ODI Global;
Rohan Masakorala, CEO and Director of the Shippers’ Academy;
Rear Admiral (Retd) Y.N. Jayaratne, former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy; and
Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, Executive Director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute (LKI).
From 9 to 13 June 2025, France will co-host, with Costa-Rica, the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) in Nice. Bringing together over 100 Heads of State and Government, along with thousands of scientists, business leaders, activists and citizens, the conference aims to deliver concrete progress through the adoption of the Nice Ocean Agreements. These will address the urgent need for better ocean governance, further financing, and deeper scientific knowledge to safeguard marine ecosystems.
By signing the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) in February 2025, Sri Lanka reaffirmed its commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and rules-based approach to managing ocean spaces in the high seas.
France is a littoral State in the Indian Ocean, with six overseas territories accounting for over 30% of its Exclusive Economic Zone, France is deeply involved in maritime matters. As Member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), France shares with Sri Lanka and regional partners the willingness to promote maritime safety and security, preserve marine ecosystems, and build a sustainable blue economy in the Indian Ocean.