Third UN Ocean Conference

Context

The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), scheduled for June 9–13, 2025, in Nice, France, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, represents a pivotal moment in global ocean governance. With mounting threats from climate change, overexploitation, and pollution, the conference aims to accelerate action and foster consensus to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14).

Background and Significance

• The first two UN Ocean Conferences, held in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022), laid the groundwork for international cooperation on ocean issues.
• UNOC3 comes a decade after the Paris Agreement (COP21), highlighting the urgent need for tangible progress in ocean conservation as the ocean crisis deepens.
• The ocean is essential for climate regulation, biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of billions, but remains the least funded SDG area.

Objectives and Priorities of UNOC3

1. Accelerating Action for SDG 14

• • The overarching theme is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.
  • The conference seeks to catalyze urgent and transformative action, supporting the implementation of SDG 14, which focuses on life below water.

2. Building Consensus and Partnerships

• • UNOC3 will bring together around 100 heads of state and government, scientists, civil society, the private sector, and international donors.
  • The aim is to forge effective partnerships, mobilize finance, and strengthen knowledge-sharing for sustainable ocean governance.

3. Key Focus Areas

• • Governance: Advancing multilateral processes, especially the ratification and implementation of the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), to address the legal vacuum in the high seas. 
  • Finance: Mobilizing resources for ocean conservation and the sustainable blue economy, addressing the chronic underfunding of SDG 14.
  • Science and Knowledge: Enhancing marine science and data dissemination to inform evidence-based policymaking.

Conference Structure and Stakeholder Engagement

• The conference will feature plenary sessions, Ocean Action Panels, and dedicated events for stakeholder engagement.
• Civil society, including NGOs, academia, and indigenous communities, are actively consulted through initiatives like “A Call to All Voices of the Ocean” and visioning exercises for future ocean sustainability.
• The “Nice Ocean Action Plan,” comprising a political declaration and voluntary commitments, will be adopted by consensus to guide global ocean action.

Challenges and Opportunities

1. Addressing the High Seas Governance Gap

• • Over 60% of the ocean lies beyond national jurisdiction, lacking effective legal oversight, leading to overfishing, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
  • Ratification of the BBNJ Agreement by at least 60 countries is critical to close this gap and ensure sustainable management of the high seas.

2. Mobilizing Finance and Technology

• • SDG 14 remains the least funded of all SDGs, necessitating innovative financing mechanisms and technology transfer to developing countries.

3. Enhancing Scientific Collaboration

• • Bridging knowledge gaps through international scientific cooperation is vital for informed decision-making and adaptive management of marine resources.

Conclusion

The Third UN Ocean Conference is a historic opportunity to build consensus and drive transformative action for ocean conservation. By fostering collaboration across governments, civil society, and the private sector, UNOC3 aims to secure the health of the ocean for current and future generations, making tangible progress toward achieving SDG 14 and safeguarding the planet’s blue heart.

 Source: The Indian Express

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q.  Which of the following factors influence the salinity of ocean water?

1. Evaporation
2. Precipitation
3. River inflow
4. Ocean currents

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (c)

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