UN Ocean Conference 2025
- Becks Whitlocke
- Jun 21
- 3 min read
The third UN Ocean Conference took place in Nice from June 9-13 gathering scientists, heads of state, policymakers, youth groups, indigenous communities, NGOs and maritime companies to discuss projects and progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 : “Life Below Water”.
Highlights from UNOC3
Over five days of seminars and discussions, many commitments were made placing ocean solutions at the centre of policies. Maritime associations, ocean advocates and yachting companies including Blue Marine Foundation, Oceano Azul Foundation, OceanX, Water Revolution Foundation, The International SeaKeepers Society and Guest Trip were present to hear and join into conversations focused on marine litter, ocean startups, plastic pollution, reduction of GHG emissions, marine research and the IMO Net Zero Framework.
10 UNOC3 Outcomes
There were plenty of positive commitments achieved during the UN Ocean Conference:
The High Seas Treaty gained momentum at UNOC3 with more countries ratifying or signing during the week. These included Albania, Bahamas, Belgium, Croatia, the Ivory Coast, Denmark, Fiji, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Malta, Mauritania, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam. Fifty-one countries are now ratified, with the need for 60 in total - once the 60-ratification threshold is reached, a 120-day countdown will begin to bring it into force.
Pacific nations showed strong representation and their dedication to ocean protection. Samoa committed to the creation of nine new marine parks and French Polynesia designated the world’s largest Marine Protected Area, where one-fifth will be designated a highly or fully protected area, where only traditional fishing boats, ecotourism and scientific research are allowed.
A coalition of government and philanthropic partners announced over US$25 million in contributions for the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) including continued support from the governments of France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Greece: Announced they are starting the legal process to create two new national marine parks, one in the Ionian Sea and another in the Southern Cyclades, as a first phase.
The President of Peru committed to 3 new maritime traffic management schemes to protect the migratory routes and breeding grounds of Southeast Pacific humpback whales.
The Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) launched “Actioning Blue: A Caribbean 30×30 Vision and Roadmap”, a regional strategy for equitable and resilient ocean protection.
Spain announced an €8.5 million contribution to a Mediterranean blue economy fund to support sustainable marine development.
The launch of the "High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean", the first global political initiative to reducing harmful underwater noise. Promoting quieter yacht design and operations via the IMO, and implementing solutions to reduce vessel noise impact.
The establishment of the Ocean Champions Group where nations must ratify the BBNJ Treaty and support a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
The launch of the "Ocean Tourism Pact", a collective pledge and a working method to protect marine and coastal ecosystems and build sustainable blue tourism.
As UNOC3 came to a close, discussions confirmed that ocean advocacy relies on mobilisation from all continents. The oceans are being championed and discussed on a local, regional and global scale. Multilateral conversations and events need to bring together different topics and sectors to deliver action, grow public awareness and investment into partnerships and policies that explore how ocean-based communities, education, science and technology can power ocean health and conservation.
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