COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion

Welcome to COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion

The COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion (VOP) is a free and accessible online platform that puts ocean priorities at the core of the global climate agenda. Its objective is to promote unity and inclusivity, as well as to increase knowledge, commitment, and action for the ocean‑climate nexus at critical events during the UN Climate Conference, by democratizing the ocean at UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conferences of the Parties (COPs). The United Nations Climate Conference (COP31) is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is also a critical instrument for providing equitable access to climate discussions and resources, as well as for enhancing transparency.

Goals of the Pavilion

• The COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion will continue to raise awareness of the importance of the ocean in addressing climate change and offer an inclusive platform for participation in ocean‑climate discussions.
• Provide individuals and organizations who cannot attend COP31 in person to join events, conversations, initiatives, and resources online.
• Encourage cross‑sectoral cooperation and collaboration on ocean‑climate action at the national, regional, and global levels, while simultaneously addressing COP31 priorities and promoting the integration of the ocean into UNFCCC processes.

Beyond the traditional aims, COP31 will focus on:

• To advance the ocean‑climate‑biodiversity nexus, collaborative initiatives involving the three Rio Conventions (the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) are proposed.
• The ratification of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and the opportunities it offers to investigate the mitigation and adaptation potential of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) are the primary focus of national and regional action.

Join for free to access live and on‑demand ocean and climate events, explore virtual exhibition booths, watch on‑location COP31 reporting and interviews with delegates, test your Virtual Ocean Pavilion and COP31 knowledge with quizzes, benefit from valuable networking opportunities and discover events and art exploring the ocean.

COP31 Key Areas

The COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion will spotlight key areas emerging from the ocean‑climate agenda. These include the interactions between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the need for integrated nature action from forests to the ocean. The Pavilion will also focus on the Mediterranean and other vulnerable regional seas, stressing the need for coordinated approaches to climate adaptation, ecosystem resilience and marine protection.

The Pavilion will examine effects of sea‑level rise, extreme marine events and the deterioration of coastal ecosystems on communities and livelihoods, including the emerging challenge of ocean‑driven climate migration. It will also display pathways for transforming marine sectors through the Ocean Breakthroughs, including marine protection, aquatic food systems, offshore renewable energy, shipping and coastal tourism.

Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement and 30x30 target, development of measurable and ambitious Blue Nationally Determined Contributions, and protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems through scientifically robust approaches will receive further attention. The Pavilion will also examine new approaches to ocean finance, equal access to marine science and data, and increased youth, Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities’ participation and leadership.

Participation

Register for the Virtual Ocean Pavilion to get access to online events, discussions and other activities related to COP31. Participants will be able to join on an internet‑connected smartphone, tablet or computer from 9 to 20 November 2026 and on‑demand content from 21 November to 22 December 2026. Recordings of events will be available on‑demand after each live event for the entire length of the COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion.

Features of the Pavilion

1. The COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion will hold panel discussions, dialogs, and roundtables that address critical ocean‑climate priorities.
2. It will highlight national, regional and international initiatives through virtual exhibition spaces and provide interviews and insights from experts, policy makers, negotiators and other leading voices of COP31 discussions.
3. The platform will also include educational resources, art, ocean and climate stories and daily editions of Treasure Trove.
4. A dedicated COP31 Ocean Events Calendar will enable an overview of ocean‑related events taking place in and around the Conference, while opportunities for networking and collaboration will help facilitate connections across the global ocean community.

Key Messages – Ocean and Climate at COP31

Key messages emanating from the COP31 Presidency, High‑Level Climate Change Champions, Ocean Breakthroughs and other Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA) initiatives, the 2026 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, and the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) will be formulated and promoted through the Virtual Ocean Pavilion. Communications INC and collaborating partners of the COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion will be leading the crafting of these messages, which will be the focus of live events and roundtables. All attendees are encouraged to review, reflect, and react to the COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion key messages. Continued dialogue among attendees and partners and sharing of the messaging with wider audiences is welcome.

Gateway to Ocean Activities at COP31

Organizers are invited to register their events in the Ocean Events Tracker, which will then be published in the COP31 Ocean Events Calendar and made available through the Virtual Ocean Pavilion.

Partnering Organizations & Co‑Organizers

The Virtual Ocean Pavilion is built on collaborative projects across organizations in the global ocean and climate community. Over the past five iterations of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion, we have worked with more than 50 major ocean and climate organizations globally.

The COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion seeks partnerships for the sixth iteration of the Virtual Ocean Pavilion at COP31 with governments, intergovernmental organizations, research and academic institutions and other stakeholders working to advance ocean‑climate action. COP31 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Co‑organizers invite Expressions of Interest from organizations to host live events, exhibitions, roundtable talks and sponsorships. Closing date for Expressions of Interest: to be announced. Early entries are encouraged.