Nice, France · 13 June 2025
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Nice, culminated in the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan — a comprehensive framework designed to accelerate global efforts toward Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). The plan consists of a political declaration adopted by consensus by more than 170 countries and over 800 voluntary commitments from governments, scientists, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector.
The conference was one of the largest of its kind, attracting approximately 15,000 participants, including over 60 heads of state and government, and featuring more than 450 side events. It was preceded by the One Ocean Science Congress (4–6 June) and the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, which helped set the scientific and financial agenda for the main plenary sessions.
The Nice Ocean Action Plan
The political declaration adopted by consensus represents a high-level commitment to urgent action for ocean protection. It emphasises the need to curb marine pollution, regulate activities on the high seas, and expand marine protected areas. The voluntary commitments cover a wide range of initiatives, from capacity building and science-based policy to the ratification of international treaties.
The declaration's adoption by consensus — meaning no country formally objected — was itself a diplomatic achievement in an era of increasing geopolitical fragmentation. However, consensus adoption does not equate to uniform ambition, and several civil society organisations noted that the declaration's language on key issues, including fossil fuel phase-out and deep-sea mining, was weaker than many had hoped.
High Seas Treaty in the Spotlight
A significant focus of the conference was the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), commonly known as the High Seas Treaty. Throughout the week, several countries ratified the treaty, bringing the international community closer to the 60 ratifications required for it to enter into force.
The European Commission announced €40 million in funding to assist African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations in ratifying and implementing the agreement. This financial commitment was designed to address the capacity gaps that have slowed ratification in developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States.
Deep-Sea Mining and the Precautionary Pause
The conference saw rising international calls for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the leaders arguing that such activities threaten marine biodiversity and disrupt vital ecosystems before science can adequately assess the risks.
The push for a precautionary pause reflects a growing divide between nations and companies seeking to exploit seabed mineral resources — increasingly attractive for battery and renewable energy technologies — and those advocating for a moratorium until the International Seabed Authority completes its mining code and scientific baseline studies are sufficient to inform environmental impact assessments.
Blue NDC Challenge and Financial Commitments
France and Brazil launched the "Blue NDC Challenge" at the conference, urging nations to integrate ocean-based solutions more formally into their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The initiative recognises that ocean-based mitigation measures — including marine renewable energy, blue carbon ecosystems, and sustainable shipping — have been underrepresented in climate planning.
The European Commission announced a €1 billion investment dedicated to ocean conservation, sustainable fishing, and marine science. This broader financial pledge complemented the targeted BBNJ support fund and signalled a recognition that ocean governance requires sustained investment, not one-off commitments.
From Commitments to Implementation
While the Nice Ocean Action Plan represents a significant diplomatic achievement, the critical question is whether the 800+ voluntary commitments translate into measurable change. Previous ocean conferences have produced ambitious pledges that have not always been followed by implementation.
The conference's emphasis on voluntary commitments rather than legally binding obligations drew criticism from some environmental organisations, who argued that voluntary frameworks lack the enforcement mechanisms needed to address the scale of ocean degradation. Others countered that the mix of political declaration, treaty ratification momentum, and financial commitments created a more effective package than any single instrument could achieve alone.
Sources
- United Nations, 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) —
- UNOC3 Nice 2025, Nice Ocean Action Plan —
- World Resources Institute, UN Ocean Conference 2025 coverage —
- IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin, UNOC3 Summary —
- European Commission, EU commitments at UNOC3 —
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Institutional Research Desk · Foresight Institute of Research and Translation
The collective editorial and research translation board of FIRAT, synthesising peer-reviewed evidence, policy briefs, and division milestones across our seven foundational research pillars.
