UNITED NATIONS OCEAN CONFERENCE: INTERNATIONAL RELATION

UNITED NATIONS OCEAN CONFERENCE: INTERNATIONAL RELATION

NEWS: Third UN Ocean Conference: Opportunity to build consensus

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

UNOC3, to be held in Nice in 2025, is a critical global initiative to mobilize action, finance, and innovation for conserving oceans and implementing SDG-14. It aims to operationalize the BBNJ agreement, promote blue economy, and adopt the Nice Ocean Agreements.

Context: Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3)

  • Scheduled to be held from June 9–13, 2025 in Nice, France, and co-hosted by France and Costa Rica
  • Marks a pivotal global event to unite nations, organizations, scientists, and stakeholders toward accelerated ocean protection and sustainable marine resource use
  • Themed: "Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean"

Why Ocean Protection is Urgent

  • Ecological and Climatic Significance
  • Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and are central to climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and ecological balance
  • They generate 50% of the oxygen we breathe
  • Absorb 25% of all anthropogenic CO₂ emissions
  • Capture 90% of excess heat generated by global warming, acting as planetary buffers against climate change
  • Economic and Livelihood Importance
  • Oceans are the backbone of global trade, marine fisheries, and coastal tourism
  • Support the livelihoods of one in every three people, especially in small island nations and coastal regions
  • The Blue Economy has potential to generate millions of sustainable jobs through renewable energy, biotechnology, and clean shipping
  • Current Challenges Facing Oceans
  • Lack of Governance: Over 60% of oceans (high seas) lie beyond national jurisdictions and are largely unregulated, making them hotspots for overfishing, trafficking, and habitat loss
  • Marine Pollution: Over 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually (Science journal, 2020), affecting marine species and food chains
  • Overexploitation of Resources: Nearly one-third of fish stocks are overexploited, threatening long-term food security and marine diversity
  • Climate-induced Degradation: Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, and warming oceans lead to destruction of sensitive ecosystems
  • Loss of Marine Habitats: Mangroves, coral reefs, and sea grass beds are rapidly vanishing, reducing carbon sinks and increasing coastal vulnerability

About United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC)

  • A high-level platform to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG-14): Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources
  • Provides a multilateral space for mobilizing political will, partnerships, innovation, and funding
  • Previous Editions:
  • 1st UNOC: 2017, New York, USA
  • 2nd UNOC: 2022, Lisbon, Portugal
  • 3rd UNOC (UNOC3): 2025, Nice, France

Key Objectives of UNOC3 (2025)

  • Operationalising the BBNJ Agreement
  • BBNJ: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
  • Aims to regulate activities in high seas, currently lacking effective legal protection
  • UNOC3 aims to secure ratification by 60 countries to bring the treaty into force
  • The agreement will combat illegal fishing, plastic dumping, and protect migratory marine species through binding governance
  • Enhancing Blue Economy Financing
  • Encouraging public-private investments in sustainable ocean industries
  • Focus areas include eco-friendly shipping, sustainable aquaculture, marine ecotourism, and ocean-based renewable energy (like tidal and wave energy)
  • Unlock financial flows through blue bonds and climate resilience funds
  • Advancing Ocean Knowledge and Innovation
  • Over 80% of the ocean remains unmapped and unexplored
  • Emphasis on building ocean observation systems, digital mapping tools, and expanding marine research infrastructure
  • Promote STEM education and citizen science to empower local communities
  • Encourage open data sharing between countries to aid early warning systems and disaster preparedness
  • Adoption of the Nice Ocean Agreements
  • UNOC3 aims to deliver a legally non-binding yet globally endorsed declaration called the “Nice Ocean Agreements”
  • These agreements would align with SDG-14 and promote collective action, accountability, and regular follow-up mechanisms
  • Intended as an oceans-equivalent of the Paris Agreement for climate

Significance of UNOC3 in the Global Environmental Landscape

  • Marks 10 years since COP21 and the Paris Agreement, signifying a parallel global push for marine protection
  • Provides a platform to integrate ocean governance within wider global challenges like climate change, biodiversity collapse, and disaster risk
  • Aims to create binding partnerships, increase science-based policy-making, and promote marine equity and justice
  • Represents a unique moment to institutionalise sustainable ocean development within multilateral frameworks

Conclusion

  • The Third UN Ocean Conference is not just another international event—it is a historic opportunity for humanity to correct course and ensure that oceans remain a life-sustaining force for future generations
  • With clear objectives in governance, finance, innovation, and cooperation, UNOC3 may define the future of ocean sustainability, much like COP21 shaped global climate ambition

 

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/third-un-ocean-conference-opportunity-to-build-consensus-9969159/