Source: UN
Context: The Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) concluded in Nice, France, with a landmark political declaration and over 800 voluntary commitments by 170+ countries called as Nice Ocean Action Plan.
About Nice Ocean Action Plan:
- What is UNOC3?
- The United Nations Ocean Conference 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, is the third in a series of global efforts to advance Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14 – Life Below Water).
- Participation:
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- Held in Nice, France from June 8–13, 2025
- Over 15,000 participants, 60+ world leaders, and 450+ side events
- Built on past UNOC events in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022)
- Key Commitments under Nice Ocean Action Plan:
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- Political Declaration titled “Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action”
- 30% ocean protection by 2030 reaffirmed under the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework
- Ratification of BBNJ (High Seas Treaty) gains momentum – now at 50 countries
- €1 billion EU fund for marine protection and sustainable fisheries
- Coral Bond by Indonesia & World Bank to finance reef restoration
- Largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) by French Polynesia (entire EEZ – 5 million sq.km)
- High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean launched to reduce underwater noise pollution
- Significance:
- Strengthens global marine governance amid climate and biodiversity crises
- Supports equitable financing for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Encourages science-driven ocean literacy, deep-sea mining moratorium advocacy, and nature-based solutions
- Catalyses global unity on ocean-climate-action nexus ahead of SDG14’s 2030 deadline
