Nice’s Promenade des Anglais was lit up last night by 2025 drones, in honour of the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) which is being held in Nice, on the French Riviera, from from Monday 9 June to Friday 13 June 2025.
The City of Nice said it was a historic moment as the drones flew over the Baie des Anges, breaking the European record for the largest drone show.
At least 150,000 locals and vistors attended the monumental show which mixed “technology and emotion with the Mediterranean as a backdrop”. Nice said: “You vibrated in unison to write a unique page of Nice’s story. An unforgettable moment you made magical 🎇”
The ‘One Ocean’ drone show featured marine flora and fauna including jellyfish, dolphins and several other underwater creatures whose future is uncertain unless drastic measures are taken.
WATCH Drone Light Show 2025 Nice, France
UN Ocean Conference to address ocean emergency
The ocean conference, the UN’s third, is a high-level summit gathered to address the increasing emergency that the ocean faces, that “scientists warn is nearing a point of no return”, according to the UN.
UN Secretary-General of the event, Li Junhua, told UN News: “The ocean is facing an unprecedented crisis due to climate change, plastic pollution, ecosystem loss, and the overuse of marine resources.”
The goal of the summit, chaired by France and Costa Rica, is to initiate voluntary pledges, partnerships and accountability in the battle against “marine degradation”.
The week will end with the adoption of a political declaration, and a Nice Ocean Action Plan being announced to “accelerate action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.
Just last month, global sea surface temperatures hit their second-highest levels ever for April. But there is hope. For instance a deal was reached by the World Trade Organisation in 2022 to phase out harmful subsidies that fuel over-fishing, said the UN.
During the week-long summit, there will be exhibitions and shows on the side for the public, as well as workshops, talks and films at the Palais des Expos.
