The Nice Ocean Action Plan, a significant political declaration were the outcomes of the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France

What does UNOC3 refer to?

The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, jointly hosted by France and Costa Rica, marks the third in a series of worldwide initiatives aimed at promoting Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14 – Life Below Water).

Involvement:

Conducted in Nice, France from June 8–13, 2025

More than 15,000 attendees, over 60 global leaders, and more than 450 side events.

Based on previous UNOC events held in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022)

Main Obligations under the Nice Ocean Action Plan:

Political statement named “Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Immediate Action”

30% ocean conservation by 2030 reaffirmed through the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

Ratification of BBNJ (High Seas Treaty) accelerates – currently at 50 nations

€1 billion EU initiative for marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices

Coral Partnership between Indonesia and World Bank to fund reef rehabilitation.

French Polynesia has the largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) encompassing the entire EEZ, spanning 5 million sq.km.

High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean initiated to diminish underwater noise pollution.

Importance:

Bolsters international ocean governance in response to climate and biodiversity challenges.

Promotes fair funding for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Promotes science-informed ocean education, support for a deep-sea mining moratorium, and solutions based on natural processes.

Fosters worldwide collaboration on the ocean-climate-action connection before the 2030 deadline for SDG14.