By Matik Kueth
The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) kicked off Monday in Nice, France, drawing together world leaders, scientists, and environmentalists to address critical ocean-related concerns such as pollution, overfishing, and the effects of climate change.
The five-day conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, aims to accelerate worldwide efforts to protect marine ecosystems, which provide livelihoods for over three billion people and play an important role in climate regulation.
Jessica Battle, marine manager at the World Wildlife Fund International (WWFI), emphasized the ocean’s natural ability to combat climate change.
“Protecting ecosystems like seagrass beds and whales can significantly enhance carbon capture. Even healthy fisheries and deep-sea environments contribute to this essential process,” Battle said.
A central focus of the conference is the “30×30” initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. At present, only 8.4 percent are under some level of protection. The battle called for immediate investment and tangible action to fulfill conservation promises.
Another key goal is to garner enough support to ratify the High Seas Treaty (also known as the BBNJ Agreement), which would permit the construction of marine protected areas in international waters.
The treaty needs ratification from 60 countries to take effect, but so far only 32 have signed on.
On his part, French President Emmanuel Macron urged nations to reach the target before the September 2025 deadline and pushed for stricter controls on illegal fishing and the elimination of harmful subsidies.
The conference also includes sessions on sustainable funding strategies like “blue bonds” and “blue loans” to finance ocean conservation.
With ocean temperatures rising, acidification accelerating, and sea levels threatening coastal regions, scientists stress the urgent need for unified global action to protect marine biodiversity and human communities alike.