The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June 2025, brought together stakeholders from governments, civil society, Indigenous groups, scientists, and the private sector. While the conference did not deliver major political breakthroughs, it reaffirmed global commitment to ocean protection and moved the needle on key issues—most notably, the ratification of the High Seas Treaty and the growing momentum behind a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
The High Seas Treaty—formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)—was adopted in June 2023. Its overarching goal is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, for example through the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
For the agreement to enter into force, 60 ratifications are required. UNOC3 played a pivotal role in accelerating this process: 21 new parties announced their ratification during the summit, bringing the total to 51. This marks a significant step toward stronger governance of the high seas.
In relation to the controversial issue of deep-sea mining, . Cconcerns over the lack of scientific knowledge about deep-sea ecosystems led to a 2022 call for a moratorium, initially supported by 12 countries. At UNOC3, that number rose to 37, signalling increased recognition of the risks and a shift toward precautionary ocean stewardship.
Another major development during the Summit is increased recognition and urgency around Ocean finance in the political declaration. This was supported by having several countries and organizations pledging new financial support for ocean-related research and conservation projects.
From IndyACT’s standpoint, while the conference achieved some important milestones, it fell short on targeted, bold commitments. One area of concern was the implementation of the 30×30 goal—protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. While this target was often mentioned, discussions lacked critical focus on how to ensure protected areas are effectively managed and enforced, rather than just declared. The issue of “paper parks”—marine protected areas that exist in name only—remains largely unaddressed.
We were also disappointed by the limited political momentum to phase out destructive fishing practices, in particular bottom trawling, which continues to cause widespread damage to marine ecosystems worldwide. More decisive international action is needed to tackle these well-known, yet still permitted, threats.
In summary, UNOC3 set the stage for progress, but the true test lies in implementation. The coming months will be critical to translate these pledges into concrete, enforceable actions. As Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles reminded the global community in Nice:
“The ocean is not part of the agenda; it is the agenda.”
IndyACT remains committed to working with partners across sectors to ensure that ocean conservation efforts are science-based, equitable, and urgently implemented.
