This was the first Our Ocean Conference in Europe and introduced two additional action areas: blue economy and maritime security.

It held a focus on high-level engagement, partnership, and action, and worked to drive international efforts, such as the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals under Agenda 2030.

The conference also complemented the EU's international ocean governance initiative, which sets out an agenda for the future of the oceans around the world, proposing 50 concrete actions.