The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) culminated in the adoption by consensus of a Declaration entitled Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action which reaffirms the vital importance of the ocean for life on the planet and warns of the global emergency resulting from climate change, the loss of marine biodiversity and the pollution of the seas. The document underlines the collective commitment of Member States to the conservation of marine ecosystems and the development of sustainable blue economies and highlights the need for awareness-raising and education campaigns at all levels, with a special focus on ocean literacy and the involvement of children and young people.

A total of 175 nations declared their ‘strong’ commitment to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas, and marine resources, demonstrating broad international support. 

Nice Action Plan

UNOC 3, which took place in Nice from 9 to 13 June, also approved the Nice Action Plan, a roadmap for turning good intentions into concrete measures and accelerating the achievement of SDG 14 – Life Below Water. Among the main goals and commitments are:
●    Protect at least 30% of the ocean with effectively protected and well-managed marine areas by 2030.
●    Eliminate fishing subsidies that favour unsustainable practices and redirect these resources to low-impact and socially just activities.
●    Protect coastal areas and restore ecosystems such as wetlands and seagrass beds, recognised for their ability to capture carbon and protect coastal areas.
●    Ensure that public and private financing is significant, accessible, transparent, participatory and respects human rights.

For UNOC3 decisions to translate into tangible results, it will be essential to:
●    Establish monitoring mechanisms and periodic reports that measure progress towards each goal.
●    Strengthen alliances between governments, civil society, the private sector, and coastal communities, promoting local and regional partnerships.
●    Expand the technical and financial capacity of developing countries, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The UNOC3 was co-organised by France and Costa Rica. The first United Nations Ocean Conference was co-organised by Sweden and Fiji in 2017 in New York, and the second by Portugal and Kenya in 2022 in Lisbon.