About the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition
Discover the history, challenges, and missions of the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition.
Our missions
The Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition promotes adaptation to sea level rise and ocean change by supporting cooperation among local authorities, scientific and financial institutions, and all stakeholders committed to the transformation of coastal cities and regions.
Responding to the climate emergency on coastlines
Coastal cities and regions are at the forefront of climate-induced ocean changes, acting as both first responders and long-term planners. The impacts of rising sea levels, of extreme climate events and sea levels, and of human activities pose significant threats, including land loss, chronic flooding, coastal erosion, subsidence, and the salinisation of freshwater reserves.
These challenges endanger local identities and cultures, vital infrastructure, economic activities, natural ecosystems, and the well-being of communities, with the most vulnerable populations at risk of irreversible loss and damage to their livelihoods.
Facing the challenge collectively and sustainably
Cities and regions are uniquely positioned to lead on adaptation strategies and initiatives grounded in local realities.
By strengthening financial, human, and technical capacities, cities and regions could better move from planning to implementation, ensuring that adaptation efforts are transformative and proactive rather than reactive and fragmented.
Supporting the adaptation of coastal cities and regions
The Coalition aims to empower coastal local governments to become driving forces in building a resilient and sustainable coastal future, by providing them with the resources and support they need.
5 Pillars of Action:
Mobilisation
Knowledge
Capacity-Building
Finance
Advocacy
Our history
On 7th of June, 2025, as the international community gathered in Nice, France, for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) organised by France and Costa Rica, the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Summit brought together mayors, governors, elected representatives of coastal cities and regions, alongside scientists, financial actors, and civil society to launch a landmark global initiative: the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition.
Launch of the Sea’ties Declaration at the One Ocean Summit in Brest
The Coalition is the result of the mobilisation of stakeholders initiated since 2020 with the Sea’ties project led by the Ocean & Climate Platform. In 2022, during the One Ocean Summit in Brest, the initiative launched the Sea’ties Declaration, now signed by 70 mayors and governors of coastal cities worldwide, calling on the international community to support their adaptation efforts.
Mandate from the French President to the City of Nice at the One Planet Polar Summit
The idea for a Coalition was first introduced in November 2023 at the One Planet Polar Summit in Paris. On this occasion, French President Emmanuel Macron entrusted Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, with the mandate to lead a Coalition of coastal cities and regions set to be launched at the the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. Leveraging the network and expertise it has built over the years, the Ocean & Climate Platform was tasked to support the preparation of the Coalition.
Support from the Global Centre for Climate Mobility at the 79th UN General Assembly
A few months ahead of the Coalition’s launch, the City of Nice and the Ocean & Climate Platform, with the support of the French government, are bringing together stakeholders and elected officials—from local levels to the highest United Nations bodies—to collectively define the Coalition’s missions, agenda, and governance. Beginning in September 2024, during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Global Centre for Climate Mobility announces its support for these efforts and its role in hosting the Coalition.
Official Launch at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference
In the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference, organised by the governments of France and Costa Rica, the Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Summit marked the official launch of the Coalition for coastal cities and regions. Attended by over 200 leaders of coastal cities and regions, it was announced that the Coalition’s Secretariat would be hosted within the Global Centre for Climate Mobility under the United Nations Offices for Project Services (UNOPS).
