In a complex geopolitical context, the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) sent strong and positive signals of support for multilateralism and international cooperation around marine and coastal protection. These signals must now be translated into concrete action, both at the national level and within intergovernmental arenas.
A wave of support for environmental multilateralism marked this edition, held in Nice, with a symbolic and unprecedented political mobilization: around sixty heads of state and government attended—compared to only twenty in Lisbon in 2022. This was complemented by wide participation from scientists, the private sector, and coastal cities and regions, each of which was given a dedicated forum prior to the official segment. At a time of rising nationalism and the temptation to appropriate common resources, this collective engagement reflects a shared willingness to accelerate the sustainable management of our oceanic commons.
Beyond participation, the conference was expected to deliver tangible commitments—and it did. Nationally, countries such as Spain, Tanzania, Chile, Portugal, and French Polynesia announced extensions of their marine protected area networks. The UK committed to banning bottom trawling in 41 of its protected zones. Science played a central role, with the official launch of the International Panel for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS), the Neptune Mission (a new oceanic research program), and Space4Ocean, a coalition aimed at applying space technology to marine monitoring.
The private sector also stepped up, notably in maritime transport, finance, ports, and sustainable tourism. A new coalition of coastal cities and regions was launched to address their unique adaptation challenges.
On the multilateral front, UNOC-3 saw real progress: Slovenia, Cyprus, Latvia, and the Marshall Islands joined the moratorium initiative against deep-sea mining, bringing the total number of supporting countries to 37 (up from 12 in 2022). Several financial institutions also pledged not to fund such projects. In the fight against plastic pollution, more than 90 countries signed a declaration urging a swift and ambitious global treaty that would include targets for reducing primary plastic polymer production and consumption.
A major milestone was also achieved in the race toward ratifying the High Seas Treaty, with 50 countries now on board—just 10 short of the 60 needed for it to enter into force, potentially by the end of this year.
The task ahead is to build on these commitments and turn them into concrete progress—both nationally and on the international stage. Civil society will play a crucial role in holding governments accountable. Multilateral momentum must continue, with key upcoming moments including:
- July in Kingston: Meetings of the Council and Assembly of the International Seabed Authority
- Early August in Geneva: Plastic treaty negotiation session
- Late August in New York: Preparatory commission for the High Seas Treaty
- November in Belém: COP30 on climate, which will review the “Blue NDC Challenge” and the integration of oceans in national climate commitments.
In France, while diplomatic preparation for the summit was commended, the government’s pledge to place only 4% of France’s waters under strict protection was widely criticized for being insufficient—both in scale and methodology. However, the immediate backlash from scientists and NGOs showed that focusing solely on quantity without ensuring high levels of protection is no longer acceptable. This represents a major takeaway from Nice: quality now matters as much as coverage.
It is essential to remember that UN Ocean Conferences are not decision-making bodies. Their role is to assess and encourage progress on SDG 14 and to accelerate key global processes. Some commitments could have been stronger, but the outcomes of UNOC-3 give ambitious stakeholders the foundation to push forward in upcoming negotiations and platforms.
Thanks to the ocean—seen by many as the ultimate global common good—these high-level gatherings gain additional value. Their importance doesn’t solely lie in producing new legal instruments, but also in generating media and political attention, applying peer pressure, and creating momentum. UNOC-3 proved this by helping accelerate treaty ratifications, consolidate alliances (e.g. the deep-sea mining moratorium), and identify gaps between public and private actors in key sectors such as tourism.
This demonstration is critical for raising the effectiveness of future climate and biodiversity COPs. UNOC-3 was a milestone—not a finish line—laying a stronger foundation for international ocean governance in the months and years ahead.
Source: iddri
