UNOC-3: OBJECTIVES AND COMMITMENTS

The United Nations Conference on the Oceans (UNOC 3) was held in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025, and focused on eight major areas to preserve the oceans. These included the decarbonisation of maritime transport to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

DECARBONATION OF MARITIME TRANSPORT AND INVESTMENT

During the ‘Blue Economy and Finance’ forum, over eight billion euros of investment was announced over the next five years to support the development of a sustainable blue economy. These investments will be made by both public and private players. The forum also saw the launch of new sustainable commitments for ports, with the electrification of terminals, the development of clean fuels and the reduction of noise pollution.

As a reminder, the decarbonisation obligations for maritime transport are determined by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). The 83rd session of the MEPC (Marine Environment Protection Committee), which took place last April, announced the introduction of a global pricing system for GHG emissions, the revenues from which would be paid into an investment fund to help finance green initiatives in the maritime sector (see our article: Decarbonisation of maritime transport: increasingly concrete commitments).

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

One of the major advances announced at the UNOC was the ratification of the BBNJ agreement. Fifty-six countries have already ratified this agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), which aims to establish an international legal framework to regulate 64% of the oceans, i.e. 50% of the earth’s surface, by January 2026 at the latest. Twelve States are preparing to do so before 23 September 2025, the date of the official ceremony in New York for the Treaty of Nice. This will bring the total number of ratifications to over 60, the threshold below which the treaty cannot be promulgated.

Marine protected areas will increase to 12%, i.e. a 50% increase on the areas currently covered. Fourteen countries have announced the creation of new areas, including French Polynesia, where the entire EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) will now be protected.

The fight against illegal fishing was also stepped up, with 103 countries ratifying the World Trade Organisation’s Fish1 agreement, which will put an end to subsidies for illegal fishing. With regard to seabed mining, five more countries have joined the coalition for a moratorium on seabed mining, bringing the total to 37 from 32.

To find out more, see Nice’s commitments to the Ocean: https://unocnice2025.org/app/uploads/2025/06/Nice-Commitments-for-the-Ocean_compressed-1.pdf