The entry into force of the High Seas Agreement, the adoption of a European Ocean Act, and the launch of new scientific initiatives: the ocean is emerging as a key issue in international governance. An analysis of the major dynamics at play following UNOC-3 with Joachim Claudet, Ocean Advisor at the CNRS.
Key points to remember before taking action
- UNOC-3 has revived international ocean governance, placing science at the heart of diplomatic discussions.
- The European Union is strengthening its action with an Ocean Act, aimed at better integrating the ocean into its environmental, energy, economic and industrial policies.
- The first COP Ocean is expected to take place at the United Nations in late 2026 or early 2027, to organize the implementation of the BBNJ treaty.
- New debates are emerging, particularly around marine geoengineering and its regulation.
- For states as well as for public institutions, the period that is beginning is decisive: it is now that the rules, scientific instruments and cooperation that will guide ocean governance for the coming decades are being structured.
The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) marked a significant moment for international ocean governance. Where do we stand today, and what momentum has it generated?
Joachim Claudet: UNOC-3 was preceded by an international scientific conference dedicated to the ocean and its sustainability, the One Ocean Science Congress (OOSC), co-organized by the CNRS and Ifremer, which was a resounding success. The event brought together more than 2,000 scientists from over 110 countries, representing numerous disciplines. This community mobilized to produce scientific recommendations that informed the debates and commitments made by States at UNOC-3. This demonstrates that scientists can participate in the public debate while remaining strictly grounded in facts and the scientific method. Focusing on ocean sustainability inevitably involves addressing societal choices, but this does not mean taking a partisan stance.
The scientific dimension was also particularly visible during UNOC-3 itself: some of the scientists present at OOSC beforehand stayed and participated in the many events organized during the conference.
This is also the first time a scientific conference of this scale has been organized in the lead-up to an intergovernmental conference on the ocean. The initiative is starting to catch on. The Our Ocean Conference, created by former US Secretary of State John Kerry and held annually, has also decided to organize a scientific conference ahead of its 2026 edition in Kenya, drawing directly on this model.
But one of the most important outcomes of UNOC-3 undoubtedly concerns the accelerated ratification of the BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) agreement. Many observers believe that without UNOC-3 and France’s strong efforts to place this agreement at the heart of the political agenda, such rapid entry into force would probably not have been possible. The agreement entered into force on January 17, 2026. This is a major step forward, made possible in particular by the significant role played by French diplomacy and scientific mobilization.
Finally, UNOC-3 also served as a launchpad for several structuring initiatives, such as IPOS (International Platform for Ocean Sustainability), which is currently finalizing responses to requests from various states, for example, by providing support to countries wishing to adapt their national legislation to implement the BBNJ agreement. A seat is planned for the Coalition of Scientific Institutions on the IPOS steering committee , which is chaired by the CNRS through its Ocean advisor.
The momentum generated by UNOC-3 is strong, and discussions surrounding UNOC4 have already begun. The conference will be held in 2028 and will be co-hosted by South Korea and Chile. UNOC is now establishing itself as a central forum for international ocean governance.
The CNRS recently published two position papers to contribute to discussions surrounding the European Ocean Act. What are they about?
The European Ocean Act is a very important step forward and we should welcome it. It marks the return of the ocean to the center of European priorities.
In concrete terms, this text aims to strengthen the coherence of European ocean policies. It notably plans to revisit and harmonize several existing directives in order to reinforce them. This is the case, for example, with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which defines the indicators used to assess the good ecological status of marine ecosystems. The European Ocean Act is intended to update these instruments and increase the resources allocated to them. The European Commission’s proposal for the Ocean Act is expected by the end of 2026.
Two position papers have been produced by the CNRS in this context: one devoted to the European Ocean Act itself, the other to the European Ocean Observation Initiative which aims to provide the Union with robust governance, based on long-term observations, European research infrastructures and open, traceable and harmonized data.
Beyond these instruments, one of the central objectives of the Ocean Act is to promote the integration of the ocean into all European public policies. The ocean should no longer be addressed solely within the framework of maritime policies: it must also be taken into account in energy policies—for example, with the development of offshore wind power—as well as in environmental, economic, industrial, and climate policies.
For scientific institutions like the CNRS, this European framework also serves as a lever for mobilization. It allows them to refine their messaging, align their scientific ambitions with European priorities, and strengthen the structuring of research around ocean-related issues.
Within this context, a European Ocean Board is also being established. This advisory council will be tasked with providing feedback on European ocean-related policies. The CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research) has submitted its application. If this body is established with strong powers, it could play a significant role in shaping European policies.
source : CNRS
