United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) 2025
The third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) concluded in France, focusing on accelerating actions to protect oceans through the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, or the ‘High Seas Treaty.’
Key Objectives and Developments
- Aim to establish marine-protected areas in international waters to prevent over-fishing and deep-ocean mining.
- Part of the global effort to conserve 30% of the world's marine and coastal areas as protected by 2030 under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- 160 countries signed the BBNJ agreement, with 56 of the required 60 ratifications achieved.
- Countries like the U.S. and India are yet to ratify the treaty, although India is in the process.
- Treaty requires 60 ratifications to initiate a 120-day countdown before becoming legally binding.
BBNJ Treaty: Implementation and Challenges
- It will create marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction.
- Will regulate environmental impact assessments and marine genetic resources.
- Supports capacity-building for developing nations.
- Contentious issue: Sharing of benefits from resources in the high seas, known for exotic life-forms.
Voluntary Commitments and Contributions
- European Commission: Investment of 1 billion euros for ocean conservation, science, and sustainable fishing.
- French Polynesia: Pledged to create the world’s largest marine protected area, covering its exclusive economic zone.
- New Zealand: Committed over $52 million for enhanced ocean governance in the Pacific Islands.
- Germany: Launched a 100 million euro programme for recovery of legacy munitions in the German Baltic and North Seas.
- 30 countries, led by Panama and Canada, launched the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean to tackle ocean noise pollution.
- Italy: Committed 6.5 million euros for strengthening surveillance in marine protected areas.
- Canada: Contributed $9 million to the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance for climate change resilience in coastal regions.
- Spain: Committed to creating five new marine protected areas, protecting 25% of its marine territory.
- UN agencies: Launched a co-design process for One Ocean Finance to unlock funds from ocean-dependent industries.