Ocean Action: World Leaders Respond
- NICE, France—The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) commenced Monday, uniting global leaders to reinforce commitments to ocean protection and sustainable use.
- More than 50 heads of state are participating alongside scientists, NGOs, business figures, and Indigenous and civil society groups.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to make important pledges toward ocean conservation.
World leaders are responding decisively at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, france, with a laser focus on ocean protection adn sustainable use. Global leaders are urging immediate action to address climate change impacts, the blue economy’s strength, and the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. News Directory 3 reports Secretary-General Guterres’s call for ”bold pledges” to boost maritime security and incorporate ocean priorities into climate and finance initiatives. Over 50 heads of state, scientists, and NGOs are participating, seeking to catalyze urgent and inclusive actions to safeguard the ocean for future generations.The Nice Ocean Action Plan is anticipated to facilitate global cooperation and sustainable practices for marine conservation. Discover what’s next for the world’s oceans.
World Leaders at UN Ocean Conference Urge Action on Marine Conservation
Updated June 09, 2025
NICE, France—The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) commenced Monday, uniting global leaders to reinforce commitments to ocean protection and sustainable use. The conference, held in Nice, France, centers on “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” pushing stakeholders to take immediate steps in conserving marine resources.
More than 50 heads of state are participating alongside scientists, NGOs, business figures, and Indigenous and civil society groups. Discussions at the UN Ocean Conference will address the impacts of climate change, strengthening the Blue Economy, and combating plastic pollution, a pervasive issue with over 23 million tons of waste entering the ocean.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged countries to make important pledges toward ocean conservation. He stressed the need to bolster maritime security and integrate ocean priorities into climate,food,and sustainable finance initiatives. Guterres highlighted ongoing negotiations, including the WTO agreement on fisheries and the IMO’s commitment to net-zero emissions from shipping by 2050, as examples of effective multilateralism.
French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the consensus achieved in making the conference possible, calling it a “fragile victory” that “requires rapid action.” He emphasized the necessity of revitalizing multilateralism and mobilizing all actors, including scientists and heads of state.
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles stated that the Ocean Conference should mark a turning point,recognizing that ocean care is not merely an option but a moral and economic imperative.
“We must also strengthen maritime security as a pillar of sustainable development.And we must embed ocean priorities across climate,food systems,and sustainable finance,” Guterres said.
Countries are encouraged to ratify the UN Agreement on Marine biological Diversity of Areas beyond National jurisdiction (BBNJ), adopted in 2023, with 50 countries already committed.
The conference anticipates adopting the Nice Ocean Action Plan, featuring outcomes based on a political declaration and voluntary commitments from member states. this plan aims to catalyze urgent,inclusive,and science-based actions to safeguard the ocean for future generations. Commitments should consider the perspectives of developing countries, especially small-island developing states (SIDs).
Palau president Surangel Whipps Jr. noted that island nations have historically been “the voice for the ocean,” leading global marine regulatory frameworks, including the BBNJ.
“The ocean ecosystems don’t follow national boundaries… we need a governance framework that reflects that reality,” said Whipps.
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine emphasized that the obligation to the ocean is a fusion of conventional wisdom and modern science,driven by community and moral obligation.
What’s next
The Nice Ocean Action Plan is expected to set the stage for future collaborative efforts in marine conservation,emphasizing the importance of global cooperation and sustainable practices to protect the world’s oceans.