on the September 20, 2024
Université Côte d'Azur pursues its role in scientific diplomacy by getting involved in international networks and taking part in major world events in the field of climate change.
Hosting the U7+ General Secretariat for 3 years
Université Côte d'Azur has been chosen to host the U7+ General Secretariat for the next 3 years, succeeding Northwestern University. The U7+ Presidential Summit is the annual meeting of the U7+ Alliance, the first coalition of university presidents from Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa and Australia dedicated to defining concrete and collective actions that universities can take to address global challenges, in coordination with the heads of government of G7 countries and beyond. The Université Côte d'Azur Excellence Initiative will take on this new responsibility.
Active participation in COP29 for Climate Change
Once again this year, Université Côte d'Azur is pursuing its efforts, as an observer member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to position universities as providers of solutions to the climate emergency. To this end, Université Côte d'Azur will be taking part in COP29, for the third year running, as an academic partner in the Science Pavilion co-sponsored by the IPCC, the Cortes Solari Philanthropy and the World Meteorological Organization.
At the same time, to ensure that the University's international action and commitment has an impact on the whole community and the region as a whole, the University is launching a mirror COP. Several events are planned between October and December, aimed at students and the entire university community. Students are invited to propose events and activities within this framework.
Université Côte d'Azur is also a founding member of an international network of universities committed to environmental and societal transitions, the International Student Climate Network (UniC). This network constitutes an extraordinary international community of practice (French-speaking and/or English-speaking) where students share, learn and act together for the climate.
The United Nations Ocean 2025 Conference
Finally, the University is involved in preparations for the United Nations Conference on the Oceans, to be held in Nice in 2025, co-sponsored by France and Costa Rica. Several highlights will be co-organized with the University of Costa Rica.
Three other major events will be held in Nice and Monaco prior to the United Nations Ocean Conference, between June 5 and 8, 2025 :
- the “One Ocean Science” conference (June 4-6, 2025 in Nice), which is expected to attract some 2,000 participants (a call for abstract submissions will open shortly);
- the forum dedicated to the blue economy and the financing of ocean protection (June 7-8, 2025 in Monaco), co-organized by France and the Principality of Monaco;
- the summit dedicated to coastal cities and regions and their resilience to climate change and sea-level rise, organized on June 7, 2025 in Nice.
