SEA-EU Strengthens Global Commitment to the SDGs at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

The event was organised by Alexandra Teodósio, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of SEA-EU and the University of Algarve, and brought together more than 60 participants from academia, civil society, and partner institutions from 18 countries across four continents. The aim was to share good practices, foster cooperation, and reaffirm a collective commitment to SDG 14 – Life Below Water – under the Conference's overarching theme, “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”, and the central guiding principle of the 2030 Agenda – Leaving No One Behind.

The session began with opening remarks from Antonio Garofalo, Rector of the University of Naples Parthenope and President of the SEA-EU Alliance, and Marcela Iglesias, General Coordinator of SEA-EU (University of Cádiz), who provided a comprehensive overview of the alliance’s development and mission. Presentations followed on SEA-EU's accredited joint European degrees, already open for applications for the 2025–26 academic year, delivered by Fernando Pérez (University of Cádiz), as well as an introduction to the SEA-EU Observatories by Ángeles Jiménez (University of Cádiz) and Merica Slišković (University of Split).

One of the event’s highlights was the SEA-EU Future Leadership Forum (SEA-EU FLF), during which researchers and representatives from the nine SEA-EU universities and nine global partner institutions shared their institutions’ efforts in advancing SDG 14. The session was introduced by Professor Vito Pascazio, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation of the University of Naples Parthenope, and featured contributions from doctoral candidate Beatriz Gasalla (University of Cádiz), Vianney Pichereau (First Vice-Rector of the University of Western Brittany), Leah Schroedter (University of Kiel), Agata Weydmann-Zwolicka (University of Gdańsk), Frano Matić (University of Split), Ritienne Gauci (University of Malta), Roberto Sandulli (University of Naples Parthenope), and Tove Holm (Nord University). Representing the University of Algarve was Cláudia Almeida (supported by Vânia Baptista), who highlighted the significant contribution of the Algarve academy to SDG 14, as evidenced by its strong research output and local engagement focused on marine life conservation and sustainable use. She also emphasised UAlg’s comprehensive curriculum across all levels of education dedicated to environmental sustainability, including innovative courses and interdisciplinary programmes closely connected to the local community and the real challenges of the region. This practical and context-based connection to the Algarve’s coastal reality reinforces the relevance of the knowledge produced at the university for the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the development of coastal communities.

Further contributions came from SEA-EU’s global partner institutions, broadening the debate with an international perspective. These included Andrii Smitiukh (National University of Odesa, Ukraine), Domingas Quiatuhanga (University of Namibe, Angola), Maame Nkrumah (Takoradi Technical University, Ghana), Corrine Almeida (Atlantic Technical University, Cape Verde), Jeremias Mocuba (Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique), Dara Aline (State University of Amapá, Brazil), Mayerly Alexandra Guerrero-Moreno (Federal University of Western Pará, Brazil), Fanny Noisette (Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada), and Méke Meité (University of San Pedro, Ivory Coast).

The presence of these institutions reinforced SEA-EU’s inclusive and truly global nature. Through the development of future leaders, the SEA-EU alliance aims to equip the next generation to be truly sustainable, contributing to climate change mitigation, marine ecosystem and biodiversity recovery, the production of low-trophic level food for human consumption, and the promotion of wellbeing and health in coastal zones. This broad collaboration highlighted the transformative potential of international partnerships in co-developing shared solutions to ocean-related challenges. The SEA-EU FLF session concluded with a presentation entitled “Science Communication: Raising Awareness for Epistemic Equity”, by Professor Manuel Célio Conceição from the University of Algarve, who is also responsible for SEA-EU’s science communication. He emphasised epistemic equity as a guiding principle in science communication and the importance of including diverse voices and knowledge systems in the production and dissemination of science, particularly within the context of international collaborations like SEA-EU.

The event played a central role in the presentation of SEA-EU’s Voluntary Ocean Commitment, which will be recorded on the official United Nations website. This closing moment symbolised the alliance’s long-term commitment to sustainability and inclusive global partnerships, reinforcing the active role of universities in coastal regions around the world in responding to challenges such as climate change, social justice, and sustainable food production through quality education, open science, and co-produced innovation with society.

Through this official side event, SEA-EU reaffirmed its strategic vision: to connect higher education, research, and international cooperation in concerted action to protect the ocean, empower local communities, and contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The leadership and active involvement of the University of Algarve as host institution further underlined its role as a Portuguese university committed to promoting sustainability on a global scale.