- Faico arrives at UNOC 3 with a robust agenda of events and collaborations, highlighting scientific, technical, and governance efforts for more effective marine conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
The Fundación Amigos Isla del Coco (FAICO) will have a prominent presence at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), to be held from June 2 to 13, 2025, in Nice, France, co-hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica.
FAICO’s participation will span both the Green Zone and Blue Zone of the event, as well as high-level parallel spaces such as the One Ocean Science Congress.
Side Events organized by FAICO – Green Zone “La Baleine”
Exploring the Unknown: Regional Science for Deep Ocean Action
Tuesday, June 10 – 5:00 p.m.
Organizers: FAICO and CIMAR-UCR
Panelists: Stuart Banks (Charles Darwin Foundation), Jorge Cortés (CIMAR-UCR)
This event highlights scientific cooperation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor and Costa Rica’s progress in deep ocean research.
From Paper to Ocean: Making 30×30 Real in Costa Rica
Wednesday, June 11 – 5:00 p.m.
Organizers: FAICO and Blue Nature Alliance
Panelists: Katherine Arroyo (MARVIVA), Alejandra Villalobos (FAICO), Esteban Herrera (ACMC-SINAC), Rita El Zaghloul (High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People), Judith Weigand (Blue Action Fund), and representatives from Blue Nature Alliance.
This session examines the transition from declarative protection to the effective implementation of MPAs, focusing on partnerships and financing.
Monitoring the Blue: Cooperation in Action
Thursday, June 12 – 10:00 a.m.
Organizers: FAICO and WildAid
Panelists: Chris Wilcox (WildAid), Sebastián Barquero (FAICO), Esteban Herrera (ACMC-SINAC), Jesús Alfaro (INCOPESCA), and Monica Espinoza (Global Fishing Watch)
This event addresses institutional coordination and technological tools for monitoring, control, and surveillance in oceanic marine protected areas.
Participation in the Blue Zone – International events
Side Event – Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific
Side event of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR)
Thursday, June 12
Theme: Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific: Science, Surveillance, and Partnerships for Action.
FAICO supports the organization and audiovisual design.
Partners include ACMC, RE:WILD, BEZOS, MIGRAMAR, CHARLES DARWIN FOUNDATION, PACÍFICO, JOCOTOCO.
FAICO at the Ocean Science Congress – One Ocean Science
Before the official start of UNOC 3, FAICO will participate in the One Ocean Science Congress, to be held June 3–6, 2025, in Nice, France, bringing together more than 2,000 scientists from around the world. This congress serves as the scientific pillar of UNOC 3 and aims to produce recommendations for heads of state and decision-makers on the most urgent challenges facing the ocean.
FAICO’s Executive Director, Alejandra Villalobos, has been appointed as one of the four official ambassadors of the Congress, alongside prominent international figures. Her role includes showcasing the value of Costa Rican science in marine conservation, engaging in media interviews, attending high-level sessions, and representing Costa Rica at the artistic and scientific evening on June 5 at the Nice Opera House, where she will deliver a message on behalf of Latin American science.
FAICO’s participation in the Congress strengthens the link between science, policy, and action, and reinforces the foundation’s commitment to the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Presence in permanent exhibitions at the Costa Rica Pavilion (Green Zone)
- Exhibit “Costa Rica Oceanic Country” – Executive design and production by FAICO, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), SINAC, INCOPESCA, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Exhibit “The Most Beautiful Island: Cocos Island National Park” – Content and graphic design support to ACMC-SINAC.
- Design of the Costa Rica Pavilion – Coordinated production through oversight by the Costa Rica Pavilion Organizing Committee, composed of state institutions, academia, the private sector, and civil society.
- Recording of the podcast “The Island and its Voices,” with special guest Rita El Zaghloul, produced in partnership with ACMC-SINAC.
FAICO’s participation is supported by ongoing projects funded by Wyss Foundation, Blue Nature Alliance, RE:WILD, and SC Johnson. This presence aims to highlight Costa Rica’s role as a global reference in effective marine conservation, as well as to expose existing gaps in the effective management of ACMC-SINAC’s marine protected areas, seeking new technical and financial partnerships.
For more information, you may contact: sbarquero@cocosisland.org o a jaraya@cocosisland.org
