UNOC3 Closes with Bold Pledges for Ocean Health

By Thuku Kariuki

The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held in Nice, France, concluded with a resounding call to action for the world’s oceans. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the five-day summit drew 15,000 participants, including over 60 Heads of State, and culminated in the Nice Ocean Action Plan—a framework of a political declaration and over 800 voluntary commitments to safeguard marine ecosystems.

As Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, declared, “We close this historic week not just with hope, but with concrete commitment, clear direction, and undeniable momentum.”

The conference, themed around accelerating action for Sustainable Development Goal 14, addressed urgent threats like pollution, overfishing, and climate-driven sea-level rise. The Nice Ocean Action Plan builds on previous summits in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022), featuring pledges ranging from youth advocacy to deep-sea ecosystem literacy and treaty ratifications.

Standout commitments included the European Commission’s €1 billion investment in ocean conservation, French Polynesia’s pledge to create the world’s largest marine protected area (five million square kilometers), and Germany’s €100-million program to clear underwater munitions from the Baltic and North Seas.

New Zealand allocated $52 million for Pacific Ocean governance, while Spain announced five new marine protected areas. A 37-country coalition, led by Panama and Canada, launched the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean to combat underwater noise pollution, and Indonesia partnered with the World Bank on a ‘Coral Bond’ for reef conservation.

The summit also marked significant progress on the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement), with 19 new ratifications bringing the total to 50—ten short of enforcement. UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the ocean’s role as “the ultimate global commons,” while French envoy Olivier Poivre d’Arvor emphasized transformative change, despite noting the absence of a senior U.S. delegation amid concerns over deep-sea mining.

Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister, Arnoldo André-Tinoco, stressed accountability in financing ocean protection, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which pushed for stronger language on climate-induced loss and damage.

The political declaration, “Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action,” reaffirmed the global goal of protecting 30% of oceans and land by 2030, aligning with frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Agreement and the UN International Maritime Organization’s climate goals. However, tensions persisted, with SIDS and leaders like Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chavez calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining—a step not included in the final declaration.

As the UNOC3 ended, the ocean stood as a silent witness to a fragile yet hopeful promise. With 450 side events and nearly 100,000 visitors, the summit showcased global unity. Yet, as Junhua noted, “The real test is not what we said here in Nice, but what we do next. The Nice Ocean Action Plan offers a blueprint, but its success hinges on sustained action and accountability to ensure the ocean’s vitality for future generations.”

Produced in partnership with Africa 21 Association