UN conference stresses critical role of the ocean

At the opening ceremony of the UN Ocean Conference on the 9^th June 2025, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged the participating countries to come forward with bold pledges. “We live in an age of turmoil, but the resolve I see here gives me hope,” he said. “Hope that we can turn the tide.”

Bringing together world leaders, scientists, private sector representatives, civil society, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the high-level gathering underscored the ocean’s vital role in regulating the climate, sustaining food security and livelihoods, and preserving biodiversity.

The ocean is under growing pressure from climate change and human activity, with record heat severely impacting marine life, and escalating threats from pollution, overfishing and biodiversity loss pushing marine ecosystems to the brink, the UN noted in a press release of the 9^th June.

Adoption of the “Nice Ocean Action Plan

At the end of the Conference on the 13th June, the participants adopted the “Nice Ocean Action Plan“, in which they express a deep concern that the ability of the ocean and its ecosystems to act as a climate regulator and to support adaptation has been “weakened”.

Underlining the importance of interlinkages between the ocean, climate and biodiversity, the declaration calls for enhanced global action to minimise the impact of climate change and ocean acidification. It emphasises the particular importance of implementing various UN agreements and frameworks, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change and help to ensure the health, sustainable use and resilience of the ocean.

Further, emphasising the need to adapt to the “unavoidable effects” of climate change, the declaration affirms the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols, as well as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Commending the leadership of Small Island Developing States in highlighting and aiming to address sea level rise, the declaration also expresses concern for the high and rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution and its negative impacts on the environment.

The declaration reaffirms shared commitment to accelerating action to prevent and significantly reduce and control marine pollution of all kinds, and reiterates the need to increase scientific knowledge on deep sea ecosystems.

Opportunities of sustainable ocean-based economics for developing countries

Further, the Conference’s outcome document recognises the “tremendous opportunities” offered by sustainable ocean-based economies for States, especially developing countries, and particularly Small Island Developing and Least Developed Countries, to eradicate poverty and hunger and achieve economic growth and social development.

The declaration also stresses the fundamental role of management tools, such as sustainable ocean plans, in achieving sustainable ocean-based economies and the sustainable management of ocean areas under national jurisdiction. It encourages all States to promote participatory management schemes for small-scale fisheries and highlights the importance of efforts in regional fisheries management organisations to establish sound management measures for sustainable fisheries and recognises the critical role of maritime transport, routes and infrastructure in the global economy, trade, and food and energy security.

Furthermore, the declaration calls on States to promote awareness and education campaigns at local, national, regional and international levels to inform the public about the importance of a healthy ocean and resilient marine ecosystems. 

Additionally, it emphasises the critical need for national ocean accounting and mapping of coastal and marine ecosystems, and of the ocean floor to inform policy decisions, development planning, integrated coastal zone management and conservation planning.

Ocean action must be based on the best available science and knowledge, including, where available, traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems, the declaration stresses. 

Also, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 referred to as one of the least funded Goals, and the declaration notes that accelerating ocean action globally requires significant and accessible finance and the fulfilment of existing commitments and obligations under relevant intergovernmental agreements.

Delivering closing remarks, Special Adviser to the Presidents of the Conference on oceans and legal matters Elinor  said the Conference’s dedication to ocean governance being more inclusive ensured that every voice was heard. “Together, we are shaping a future where cooperation leads to real lasting change,” Hammarskjöld said, and noted that the adoption of the “historic document” had been a major achievement for the UN and wass a vital step to reversing damage done to the climate.

(UN/wi)