UNOC: a mild success for sustainability on an ocean of backlash

The Blue economy and finance forum

The summit was preceded by the Blue economy and Finance Forum (7-9 June). It highlighted oceans' crucial role in global sustainability while addressing significant threats to marine life. Despite the ocean providing over 50% of the world's oxygen and being a vital carbon sink, an estimated USD 175 billion annually is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 (life below water), yet only USD 30 billion has been allocated since 2010 [1]. The forum attracted 2,000 participants and 150 speakers from various sectors.

Key innovations included blended finance models to de-risk investments, debt swap tools for marine conservation, and the exploration of biodiversity nature credits. Participants emphasized the importance of alternative fuels for shipping, the development of environmentally friendly ports, and positioning marine protected areas (MPAs) as businesses that generate economic benefits alongside conservation. The forum concluded with an urgent call for collaboration and investment to foster a sustainable blue economy.

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, expressed concerning insights about the crisis affecting the Ocean, stating, "we are fueling a crisis which is undermining the very systems we depend upon." She also emphasized the economic implications by asserting that "the cost of inaction is far higher than what is projected for conservation and adaptation strategies."

The United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC) co-host by France and Costa Rica was held in Nice, France between the 9th and 13th of June.

 

Maritime spatial planning, the α & Ω 

Maritime spatial planning was certainly the most common terms of the summit as countries committed to further protect their exclusive economic zones.

Nonetheless, these commitments only cover exclusive economic zones representing around 40% of the world’s oceans. Until recently, oceans, beyond national jurisdictions were not submitted to maritime spatial planning. Indeed, the high seas treaty now makes it possible to create protected areas outside of EEZs.

 

 

 

1.     Marine protected areas[2] (within exclusive economic zones):

 

Marine protected areas was the main topic for discussion, with countries committing to protect  a proportion of their exclusive economic zones, in accordance with the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Twelve countries (including Chile, French Polynesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Colombia, Greece, Tanzania), announced proposals for new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or actions related to the designation or implementation of existing ones. If all these commitments are realized, they would collectively cover an area of 5,932,538 km², potentially increasing the protected portion of the global ocean by an additional 1.6%. 

 

2.     High seas treaty (beyond exclusive economic zones):

Another indirect achievement of UNOC was the ratification of the High seas treaty. More than 60 countries are now due to ratify the treaty, reaching the threshold for the agreement to enter into force.

The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ available here), aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. It creates a global framework focused on conserving and sustainably using marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).

Key points of the treaty include:

1.     Conservation Measures: The treaty establishes a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, including the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs).

2.     Environmental Impact Assessments: It mandates assessments to evaluate the environmental impacts of activities such as deep-sea mining and fishing in international waters.

3.     Access and Benefit-Sharing: The agreement includes provisions for sharing the benefits derived from marine genetic resources, ensuring that benefits are distributed equitably among nations.

4.     Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: It emphasizes support for developing countries in terms of capacity building and access to technology for sustainable ocean management.

5.     Collaborative Governance: The treaty encourages international cooperation and governance approaches to manage and protect marine biodiversity effectively.

Adopted after years of negotiation, the treaty is seen as a significant step toward addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and ensuring sustainable use of ocean resources beyond national jurisdictions.

Land-based pollution, the elephant in the room that went missing

A surprising fact of the Ocean conference is that it did not evoke the major driver of its degradation: land-based activities. The United Nations estimates that up to 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based activities[3].

Considering such numbers, one would expect the UNOC to focus on reducing agricultural runoff, sewage and industrial discharges, yet, agriculture was rarely mentioned.

Adaptation and coastal vulnerabilities

Another major achievement is the support for the development of the One Ocean Finance Facility, a planned public-private financing mechanism designed to ensure long-term funding for sustainable ocean initiatives. In collaboration with organizations such as the UN Capital Development Fund, the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, and the UN Environment Programme, this facility is poised to become a pivotal resource for funding various ocean-related projects. The facility's focus on blending public and private finance represents a promising approach to addressing the financing gap often encountered in ocean conservation efforts.

Global Plastic Treaty

The finance sector has also been convened to back the adoption of a Global Plastics Treaty, a crucial step towards addressing the plastics crisis that threatens marine ecosystems. The treaty aims to establish binding commitments for countries to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable alternatives. Engaging financial institutions in this dialogue underscores the necessity of mobilizing resources toward innovative solutions to mitigate plastic waste, aligning economic incentives with environmental stewardship.

In August 2025, the once environmental “plastic treaty’ became an economic treaty when oil-producing nations stepped in at the table with energy and economy ministries. Although negotiators tried to be flexible until the end, political stances took over technical stances with oil producing countries opposing the text.

Moratorium on deep sea mining

Calls for a moratorium, a ban or a pause on deep sea mining multiplied as 37 countries joined the EU in preventing seabed degradation and carbon release from the activity (full list available here). They were joined by 64 companies and financial institutions including Eramet, BNP, Rio Tinto and Crédit Agricole and the EIB. 

These expressions of support come after the Trump administration in the U.S. issued an executive order on April 24, which invokes the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) to claim unilateral authority for mining in international waters.

 

Innovative tools

The conference witnessed the launch of a new intergovernmental organization focused on digital ocean systems and information services. This initiative includes groundbreaking tools such as the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean (available here) and the Starfish Barometer, which provide comprehensive data insights to enhance ocean governance and management. These digital platforms facilitate informed decision-making, enabling stakeholders to better address the challenges facing marine environments.