UNOC 2025 Recap: Strengthening Global Ocean Action

The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), held in Nice, France, has concluded. Over the course of five days, global leaders, scientists, financial institutions, private sector representatives, civil society, and community actors came together with a shared goal: to advance ocean action in alignment with climate and biodiversity targets.

Ocean Community was proud to participate in this landmark gathering, which provided a valuable platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the development of tangible solutions. From financing mechanisms to regulatory frameworks, key themes emerged that will shape the trajectory of ocean governance and sustainability in the years to come.

Key Outcomes and Announcements

High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement)

The conference marked a significant milestone in the advancement of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. With 51 countries having now ratified the treaty, the momentum toward its formal entry into force is growing. Once active, the treaty will facilitate the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in international waters and introduce mechanisms for benefit-sharing, environmental assessments, and international scientific cooperation.

EU Ocean Action Plan

The European Union presented its Ocean Action Plan, reaffirming its strategic commitment to restore ocean health, promote sustainable blue economy models, and support the implementation of the High Seas Treaty. The plan emphasizes the decarbonisation of maritime transport, the development of regenerative aquaculture, and enhanced marine ecosystem restoration through the Starfish Mission.

Call to Integrate Ocean in Post-2030 Agenda

A political declaration, “Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action,” was adopted, stressing the importance of integrating the ocean into global climate and development frameworks beyond 2030. The declaration calls for enhanced co-design between science, policy, finance, and technology, and urges the international community to commit to a regenerative blue economy aligned with climate neutrality objectives.

Thematic Priorities Emerging from UNOC 2025

1. Data Collection and Ocean Observation

“There is no stewardship without knowledge.”

Robust, interoperable, and open-access data is critical for effective ocean governance. Across panels and stakeholder forums, it was reiterated that only approximately 26% of the global seafloor has been mapped. However, with broader inclusion of privately held geospatial and geological data, this figure could potentially double.

Concerns were raised about the potential 30–35% reduction in ocean observation capacity due to projected cuts in U.S. funding. This trend underscores the need for a multinational effort to maintain and expand ocean data systems, including deep-sea biodiversity monitoring and early warning systems for climate-related ocean changes.

2. Financing the Blue Economy

A significant gap remains in global investment: less than 0.01% of capital is directed toward ocean-related sectors. To address this, UNOC 2025 featured several promising developments:

• Launch of the Coral Bond Project (World Bank), leveraging capital markets to support MPAs in Indonesia.

• Growth in blue bond issuance, aligning investment returns with verified conservation outcomes.

• Recognition of blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms as critical enablers for scaling private-sector participation.

Despite this progress, there was consensus that more robust governance frameworks are needed to ensure that blue finance supports truly sustainable and equitable initiatives, especially at the local and community levels.

3. International Collaboration and Co-Design

Numerous sessions emphasized the importance of inclusive, multi-stakeholder collaboration. This includes cooperation across governments, financial institutions, Indigenous communities, and youth representatives. Co-managed MPAs, community-led coral restoration, and regional alliances in the Caribbean were presented as successful models that generate both ecological and socioeconomic benefits.

The need for intergovernmental coordination—especially concerning regulation of deep-sea mining, carbon removal technologies, and the intersection of fisheries, biodiversity, and climate goals—was a recurring theme.

4. Regulatory and Governance Frameworks

Effective regulation was identified as both a barrier and an opportunity. The conference reiterated the need for:

• Science-based regulatory approaches

• Strong environmental safeguards in high seas activities

• Expanded monitoring and enforcement capacity

• Transparency in marine resource governance

Several speakers called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until sufficient scientific data can determine its safety and ecological impact. The precautionary principle, alongside enhanced legal frameworks, was proposed as essential for navigating emerging ocean industries.

Looking Ahead

“It’s not so much what happens at the conference, it is what happens afterwards.” — Peter Thomson, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean

As the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals approaches, UNOC 2025 served as both a checkpoint and a launching point. With the BBNJ treaty nearing entry into force, major public and private financing commitments underway, and improved policy coordination on the horizon, the focus must now shift from commitment to implementation.

The ocean’s role in climate regulation, food security, biodiversity preservation, and economic stability is well-established. The challenge is to translate global ambition into practical, science-driven action that safeguards marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.