Third Ocean Conference in Nice: navigating hope and gaps in ocean governance 

From June 9 to 13, 2025, some 15.000 representatives from governments, civil society, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and financial institutions gathered in Nice for the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) under the theme “Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. 

Headerphoto: A hydromedusa, seen at just over 3900 m and just above the seafloor along the west wall of Mona Canyon. © NOAA OKEANOS EXPLORER Program, Oceano Profundo 2015; Exploring Puerto Rico’s Seamounts, Trenches, and Troughs

For the first time, ocean issues were no longer treated as marginal to global environmental policy but framed as a central pillar of climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and economic justice.  

High Seas Treaty 

A remarkable achievement in Nice was the progress toward ratifying the High Seas Treaty, formally known as the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) (see textbox). The treaty, which was finalised in 2023 after years of negotiation, aims to protect marine life in international waters that have long existed in a legal grey zone. 

By the end of the conference, 51 countries had either ratified or committed to ratify the treaty, putting it within reach of the 60 ratifications needed for it to enter into force. The treaty’s advancement symbolises a growing consensus that global commons must be governed with fairness and foresight. It represents an emerging paradigm that values collective responsibility over unchecked exploitation. The Netherlands has not yet ratified the BBNJ.  

Deep-sea mining in the spotlight 

Another urgent topic was the future of deep-sea mining. As companies and some states continue to eye the ocean floor for minerals, resistance has grown. Speaking during the open plenary, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the practice as “madness” and called for a global moratorium, describing it as an international necessity. Four new countries ^[1] Slovenia, Latvia, Cyprus and the Marshall Islands pledged the support for a moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, bringing the total to 37.  

Civil society groups, scientists, and Indigenous representatives highlighted the irreversible risks that mining poses to fragile and poorly understood ecosystems in the deep ocean. Their message was clear: the pursuit of transitions in energy, digital infrastructure and defense systems must not come at the cost of oceanic destruction.  

‘It’s disappointing that the conference fell short of delivering concrete commitments to stop deep-sea mining. We need more than just good intentions: countries need to show real leadership, step up for global cooperation, and commit to a moratorium at the upcoming International Seabed Authority meeting in Kingston,’ says Maartje Hilterman, Senior Expert Environmental Justice at IUCN NL. 

Financial institutions joined the call for caution towards deep-sea mining, signaling reluctance to invest in ventures that lack transparency or adequate safeguards. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reinforced the position, warning that “the deep sea cannot become the Wild West of extraction.”  

Coastal residents protest against seabed mining © ATM

Marine ecosystems in Philippines face mining threat 

Deep-sea mining looms not only over international waters but also threatens precious deep-sea ecosystems within countries’ jurisdictions. In the Philippines for example, areas such as the Philippine Rise (previously known as the Benham Rise) have been identified for potential DSM, targeting ferromanganese crusts, and/or hydrothermal sulfide deposits rich in minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt.  

Another emerging yet underexposed threat is rampant marine sand and seabed mining, notably for black (magnetite) sand – destroying benthic habitats, smothering coral reefs and seagrasses with sediment plumes and disrupting local fisheries. Altered sediment dynamics accelerate coastal erosion and weaken climate resilience. Recovery takes years, often changing species composition and affecting productivity, food chains, and small-scale fisheries ^[2] Atlas. (2022). Cagayan black sand mining in shore areas, Luzon, Philippines. https://ejatlas.org/conflict/cagayan-black-sand-mining-in-shore-area ^[3]Oceana Philippines. (2021). The dire consequences of Manila Bay and Lingayen Gulf seabed quarrying: Experts warn of red tide, coastal erosion, loss of fisherfolk livelihood – Oceana … Continue reading ^[4]Kabagani, L.J. (2024). https://tribune.net.ph/2024/03/18/tulfo-flags-denr-over-seabed-quarrying-onshore-blacksand-mining-in-zambales ^[5] MGB Public Portal. (2024). http://databaseportal.mgb.gov.ph/#/public/mining-tenement-control-maps  ^[6] ABS-CBN News. (2021). https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/02/02/21/apollo-global-unit-jdvc-starts-deep-sea-magnetite-mining-this-feb  

Plastic pollution 

At UNOC3, ministers and representatives from over 95 countries united in a renewed call for a comprehensive Global Plastic Treaty, reviving momentum after negotiations stalled last December. This call to action comes ahead of a critical negotiation round scheduled for early August in Geneva, Switzerland, where governments will aim to finalise binding commitments. The urgency is clear: over eight million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually, with most plastics persisting for centuries, accumulating and threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. 

Political declaration 

UNOC3 concluded with the adoption of the wide-ranging political declaration “Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action.” Endorsed by nearly 170 countries, this declaration outlines commitments to meet global targets, including the much-discussed “30×30” goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, reducing ocean pollution, decarbonising shipping, and phasing out destructive fishing practices. S​ome countries back​ed​ their words with actions: New Zealand, for example, reaffirmed ​protection of the ​​     ​ Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary​.​​ ​Denmark, Portugal​ and the​ UK ​​pledged ​bottom trawling​ bans​ in their​ MPAs​​while France faced criticism for not going that far​.  

The lack of explicit commitments at UNOC3 to install a global ban on bottom trawling – the destructive fishing practice where large nets are dragged across the seafloor – and to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies that undermine sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity (see textbox) is disappointing.  

Equity and blue justice 

UNOC3 made ample space for Indigenous Peoples, small-scale fishers, and local communities to share their insights and leadership. Their message was unified: the ocean cannot be protected without those who have stewarded it for generations. 

Equity was, however, less prominent in the concluding political declaration. It mentions the urgency of ensuring that all people, including women and girls, persons with disabilities, youth, people in vulnerable situations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP&LCs), are fully and meaningfully empowered and included in ocean-related decision-making as appropriate. It also stresses that action must be based on the best available science and knowledge, including​ ​​     ​traditional and Indigenous knowledge, while recognising and respecting the rights of IP&LCs in conserving, restoring and sustainably using the ocean, seas and marine resources. This can, however, not be achieved without tackling fundamental issues like harmful fisheries subsidies and addressing other injustices like privatisation of coastal areas  and marine sand and seabed mining that have severe impact on coastal ecosystems, local communities’ livelihoods and climate resilience and local fisheries.  

What’s next? 

Despite its achievements, UNOC3 left important work unfinished. The High Seas Treaty still requires nine more ratifications before entering into force. The moratorium on deep-sea mining, though widely supported, is not yet codified and may face opposition during the upcoming International Seabed Authority meeting. The global plastics treaty, still under negotiation, must be finalised with the strongest possible provisions if it is to curb marine pollution effectively. 

Moreover, while the political declaration is ambitious, it is not legally binding. Its success depends on continued advocacy, transparency, and accountability. With only about 2.7% of the ocean effectively protected today, countries must now back their pledges with implementation. 

​​​​​​​From Nice onward, ocean action must put justice into practice by listening to and supporting small-scale fishers, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. That includes challenging the growing grip of corporate interests on ocean resources, ensuring fair access and decision-making for women, youth, people with disabilities, and others in vulnerable situations. 

Read more

• In the Bottom Line! project we advocate for a moratorium on deep-sea mining 

• Why the 2025 UN Ocean Conference matters! 

• IUCN Statement about UNOC3 

• Deep Sea Conservation Coalition’s statement about UNOC3