{"id":1140,"date":"2025-06-16T06:10:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T06:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brhrd.be\/?p=1140"},"modified":"2025-10-18T10:13:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T10:13:31","slug":"un-ocean-summit-ends-with-global-pledges-to-protect-the-seas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brhrd.be\/?p=1140","title":{"rendered":"UN Ocean Summit Ends with Global Pledges to Protect the Seas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nice, France \u2013 June 13, 2025<\/strong>
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) closed with a resounding message: global unity is possible \u2014 and urgently needed \u2014 to save our oceans. Over 170 nations, including more than 60 heads of state and government, joined forces on France\u2019s Mediterranean coast to adopt a sweeping declaration and announce hundreds of new commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From marine conservation to pollution reduction, the summit signaled what many are calling a turning point for global ocean governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe leave Nice not only with hope, but with action,\u201d said Li Junhua, the UN\u2019s Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary-General of UNOC3.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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A Blueprint for Ocean Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The conference\u2019s centerpiece outcome, dubbed the Nice Ocean Action Plan<\/strong>, includes both a global political declaration and over 800 voluntary pledges<\/strong>. These came from governments, scientific communities, civil society groups, and UN bodies, all focused on reversing ocean degradation and achieving the goals of SDG 14: Life Below Water<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the standout commitments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • European Commission<\/strong> pledged \u20ac1 billion for ocean conservation and sustainable fishing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • French Polynesia<\/strong> committed to creating the world\u2019s largest marine protected area, spanning 5 million km\u00b2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Germany<\/strong> announced a \u20ac100 million initiative to remove old munitions from the Baltic and North Seas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • New Zealand<\/strong> invested $52 million into ocean governance across the Pacific.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Spain<\/strong> added five new marine protected areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    An alliance of 37 nations, led by Panama and Canada, launched a \u201cHigh Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean\u201d<\/strong> to address underwater noise pollution. Indonesia, with support from the World Bank, introduced a \u2018Coral Bond\u2019<\/strong> to support reef conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Push to Ratify the High Seas Treaty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A major focus in Nice was accelerating the ratification of the High Seas Treaty<\/strong> (BBNJ Agreement), adopted in 2023 to protect marine life in international waters. Nineteen new countries ratified the accord during the week, bringing the total to 50 \u2014 just 10 shy of the 60 needed for it to enter into force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cIt\u2019s a significant victory,\u201d said France\u2019s special envoy Olivier Poivre d\u2019Arvor. \u201cWe\u2019ve taken steps forward \u2014 and there\u2019s no turning back.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    Not Just Talk \u2014 A Test of Global Will<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the summit delivered an optimistic vision, questions remain about implementation. Will countries follow through?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean, reminded delegates that 2028<\/strong>, the year of the next UN Ocean Conference (to be co-hosted by Chile and South Korea), will be a moment of accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cWhat matters is what happens after the conference,\u201d said Thomson. \u201cWe\u2019ve raised ambition \u2014 now we need results.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    What\u2019s Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The conference reaffirmed the goal to protect 30% of the world\u2019s oceans and land by 2030<\/strong>, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework<\/strong> and climate goals from the International Maritime Organization<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, concerns from Small Island Developing States (SIDS)<\/strong> about climate damage and calls for a deep-sea mining moratorium<\/strong> were not fully addressed in the final declaration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Despite this, the declaration \u2014 titled \u201cOur ocean, our future: united for urgent action\u201d<\/em> \u2014 represents a global consensus to act swiftly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Final Thought<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As the sun set over the port of Nice, ship horns echoed in tribute to a fragile but shared promise: to protect our ocean before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cThe true measure of success,\u201d said Mr. Li, \u201cis not what we said in Nice, but what we do next.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n