HCMC – The French Consulate General in HCMC on Wednesday opened a photo exhibition highlighting France-Vietnam cooperation in marine protection, coinciding with the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) in Nice, France.
The outdoor exhibition features 14 large-format images on the outer wall of the French Residence at 6 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1 and will remain open to the public until the end of November.
At the opening ceremony in HCMC, French Consul General Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser said the exhibition aims to showcase ocean-focused initiatives by French institutions and partners in Vietnam and the Indo-Pacific region. These include projects in aquaculture, water quality research, and coastal erosion prevention.
Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth and account for 97% of the planet’s water resources, said Pavillon-Grosser. They are critical to biodiversity, yet they are among the first victims of climate change and human activities, from declining fish stocks to plastic pollution, ocean warming, rising sea levels, and coral reef degradation, she added.
The event will also see the launch of the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Alliance, which supports coastal cities and regions in adapting to climate impacts.
The exhibition is part of France’s “Year of the sea,” launched by French President Emmanuel Macron in January 2025, and coincides with UNOC-3, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica from June 9 to 13. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is attending the event as head of the Vietnamese delegation.
France, which manages the world’s second-largest exclusive economic zone and 22% of global marine protected areas, has prioritized oceanography and marine conservation. The country previously hosted the One Ocean Summit in Brest in 2022 and is now hosting UNOC-3.
UNOC-3 is a high-level international forum focused on global ocean challenges. This year’s theme is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.” The conference seeks solutions to overfishing, marine pollution, and threats to food security.
Vietnam’s participation carries particular significance. With over 3,000 kilometers of coastline, the country faces growing risks from coastal erosion, declining fish stocks, and maritime tensions. France and Vietnam continue to strengthen cooperation to ensure coastal states’ concerns are represented in multilateral discussions.
