UN Ocean Summit Ends with Pledges, Activists Urge Action

Greenpeace banner sign against deep sea mining at UNOC3 in Nice on June 11, 2025.

The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) concluded today in Nice with an urgent call for governments to turn bold declarations into concrete actions to protect the world’s oceans. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the summit brought together more than 15,000 participants—including 50 heads of state and government, civil society leaders, scientists, youth, and Indigenous communities—during an 11-day event hailed as both a milestone in ocean diplomacy and a test of global resolve.

“This conference has been a resounding success,” said Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, France’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. “We close not just with hope, but with concrete commitments, clear direction, and undeniable momentum.”

Costa Rica’s Foreign Minister Arnoldo André Tinoco emphasized the wide-ranging participation and the centrality of science in decision-making. “Together with France, we worked toward an action-oriented conference where all actors are represented and where finance and science go hand in hand,” he said.

Under-Secretary-General Li Chunhua, Secretary-General of the conference, stressed the need for follow-through: “The real test is not what we said here but what we do next. The wave of change has formed. Now it is our collective responsibility to propel it forward.”

Key Outcomes and Announcements:

One of the most significant outcomes of the conference was progress on the High Seas Treaty—officially known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. With 51 ratifications confirmed and 60 required for it to enter into force, the treaty would allow the creation of marine protected areas in international waters, a vital step toward protecting 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030.

Additionally, 800 new voluntary commitments were registered across 10 multi-stakeholder Ocean Action Panels, covering issues from marine pollution and deep-sea ecosystems to ocean finance and the role of Indigenous peoples.

Notable initiatives launched at UNOC3 include:

• The One Ocean Finance Facility, aimed at bridging the multibillion-dollar funding gap for ocean conservation.

• The European Ocean Pact, enhancing regional cooperation for sustainable ocean governance.

• The Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition, supporting vulnerable communities facing sea-level rise.

The conference also saw growing support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, with four additional countries joining the call, bringing the total to 37.

Civil Society Response: “Fine Words Must Lead to Action”

Despite broad commitments, environmental groups voiced concern that the conference lacked stronger legally binding resolutions, especially on deep-sea mining.

“We’ve heard lots of fine words here in Nice, but these need to turn into tangible action,” said Megan Randles, head of Greenpeace’s delegation. “Countries must be brave and make history by committing to a moratorium on deep-sea mining at next month’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting.”

While Randles welcomed progress on the High Seas Treaty, she said governments “missed the moment” to take firmer steps against industries that endanger marine ecosystems. “The deep sea should not become the wild west,” she added, echoing recent comments by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Activists also highlighted the significance of upcoming negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, resuming in Geneva this August. Ninety-five countries signed the “Nice Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty,” but many fear that lobbying by oil and petrochemical companies may weaken the outcome.

“The world cannot afford a weak treaty dictated by oil-soaked obstructionists,” said John Hocevar, Oceans Campaign Director at Greenpeace USA. “Governments need to show that multilateralism still works for people and the planet—not just corporate profits.”

Indigenous Voices and Ocean Justice

Coastal and Indigenous communities had strong visibility throughout the conference, especially in the “Green Zone” in La Valette, which welcomed more than 100,000 visitors through grassroots events, youth forums, and artistic exhibitions.

Nichanan Thantanwit, Project Leader at the Ocean Justice Project, criticized the continued marginalization of traditional ocean stewards. “There is no ocean protection without the people who have protected it all along,” she said. “Governments must recognize small-scale fishers and Indigenous peoples as rights-holders and secure their role in ocean governance.”

She also called for an end to destructive practices such as bottom trawling and industrial aquaculture, which she said “drive ecological collapse and human rights violations.”

Mixed Reviews for France’s Leadership

While French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his call for a global deep-sea mining moratorium—calling it “an international necessity”—some conservationists said France fell short of leading by example.

“This was France’s moment, but instead of making a splash, its impact was more of a ripple,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of Pristine Seas. “We heard many policymakers speak about what needs to be done—yet few took the bold steps necessary to protect the ocean.”

Still, Sala praised countries that announced new fully protected marine areas, while noting the conference was “heavy on rhetoric, light on resolve.”

Looking Ahead

The anticipated “Nice Ocean Action Plan”, a political declaration backed by voluntary commitments, will be released later today. While not legally binding, it is expected to influence key decisions at the upcoming ISA meeting in July and the Plastics Treaty talks in August.

Chunhua announced that South Korea and Chile have expressed interest in hosting the next UN Ocean Conference. “We want the positive momentum generated in Nice to amplify even further at UNOC4,” he said.

As UNOC3 ends, the tone remains hopeful—but whether that hope translates into real-world impact remains to be seen.

“This must not be where it ends. It must be where it truly begins,” said Greenpeace’s Randles.