UPSC Editorial Analysis: UN Ocean Conference 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
*General Studies-2; Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.*
Introduction
• The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in Nice, France, in June 2025, marked a pivotal step in international marine conservation.
• The conference aimed to accelerate global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
• Over 175 countries, including 60 represented by heads of state, along with NGOs, scientists, academics, and civil society actors, convened to adopt the Nice Action Plan, reaffirm commitments to the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), and pledge new investments and conservation goals.
Importance of Oceans in Global Sustainability
• Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, regulate the climate, and are a vital source of food, jobs, biodiversity, and oxygen.
• They absorb 25% of global CO₂ emissions and 90% of excess heat from global warming (UNEP).
• Over 3 billion people rely on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods (UN).
• Yet, oceans face unprecedented stress from: Overfishing (34% of global fish stocks overexploited – FAO) Plastic pollution (11 million tonnes annually – Pew Charitable Trusts) Ocean acidification, warming, and rising sea levels.
• Overfishing (34% of global fish stocks overexploited – FAO)
• Plastic pollution (11 million tonnes annually – Pew Charitable Trusts)
• Ocean acidification, warming, and rising sea levels.
Key Outcomes of the UN Ocean Conference
• Nice Action Plan
• A collective political declaration urging protection of marine ecosystems.
• Over 800 voluntary commitments by: Governments UN agencies Research institutions NGOs and civil society
• Governments
• UN agencies
• Research institutions
• NGOs and civil society
• The Action Plan emphasized: Sustainable ocean economies (Blue Economy) Banning harmful subsidies Ending illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing Advancing marine scientific research
• Sustainable ocean economies (Blue Economy)
• Banning harmful subsidies
• Ending illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
• Advancing marine scientific research
• €8.7 Billion in New Investments
• Pledges made for accelerating marine protection and research over the next five years.
• Includes public-private partnerships for coastal resilience and clean ocean technologies.
• Boost to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• Global coverage of MPAs to increase from 8% to over 10%.
• Aim to reach the 30×30 target — protecting 30% of oceans by 2030, in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Strengthening the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ)
• Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty — also known as the High Seas Treaty — aims to regulate marine biodiversity in areas beyond Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
• Addresses exploitation of marine genetic resources, environmental impact assessments (EIAs), and capacity building.
• Ratified by 50 countries, it requires 60 ratifications to enter into force.
• India’s ratification is expected by the end of 2025 following parliamentary endorsement.
Significance of the High Seas Treaty
• Covers two-thirds of the ocean that lie beyond national jurisdictions.
• Provides for: Equitable sharing of marine genetic resources. International cooperation in marine scientific research. Safeguards against unregulated deep-sea mining and bioprospecting.
• Equitable sharing of marine genetic resources.
• International cooperation in marine scientific research.
• Safeguards against unregulated deep-sea mining and bioprospecting.
• It is a landmark development in ocean multilateralism — akin to the Paris Agreement for oceans.
Challenges in Ocean Governance
• Geopolitical Frictions
• The US, a major maritime power, only sent observers, highlighting continued reluctance to engage in binding global environmental governance. Countries like the US, China, and Russia have strategic and economic interests in deep-sea mining, causing regulatory deadlocks.
• The US, a major maritime power, only sent observers, highlighting continued reluctance to engage in binding global environmental governance.
• Countries like the US, China, and Russia have strategic and economic interests in deep-sea mining, causing regulatory deadlocks.
• Deep-Sea Mining Debate
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is under pressure to permit commercial deep-sea mining despite ecological concerns. Activists and some nations are advocating a moratorium until comprehensive environmental regulations are in place. Mining can damage sensitive ecosystems and release toxic sediments affecting marine food chains.
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is under pressure to permit commercial deep-sea mining despite ecological concerns.
• Activists and some nations are advocating a moratorium until comprehensive environmental regulations are in place.
• Mining can damage sensitive ecosystems and release toxic sediments affecting marine food chains.
• Funding and Implementation Gaps
• Many small island and developing nations lack the capacity to implement commitments made. Need for greater technology transfer, financial support, and capacity-building.
• Many small island and developing nations lack the capacity to implement commitments made.
• Need for greater technology transfer, financial support, and capacity-building.
Broader Dimensions of the Conference
• Ocean Literacy and Science Diplomacy
• The conference promoted: Science-based policy. Ocean literacy campaigns targeting youth. Technology use for marine data collection (e.g., AI, remote sensing, drones).
• Science-based policy.
• Ocean literacy campaigns targeting youth.
• Technology use for marine data collection (e.g., AI, remote sensing, drones).
• Climate Change Integration
• Emphasis on nature-based solutions: Coastal mangrove and coral reef restoration. Ocean carbon sequestration.
• Coastal mangrove and coral reef restoration.
• Ocean carbon sequestration.
• Oceans are critical for climate adaptation and mitigation, yet often overlooked in global climate negotiations.
• Equity and Inclusion
• Strong focus on: Indigenous coastal communities. Gender mainstreaming in marine conservation. Empowerment of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
• Indigenous coastal communities.
• Gender mainstreaming in marine conservation.
• Empowerment of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Role of India and Way Forward
India’s Commitments and Role
• India reaffirmed commitment to Blue Economy, marine biodiversity, and sustainable fisheries.
• Expected to ratify the BBNJ Treaty soon.
• India’s initiatives: Deep Ocean Mission for seabed exploration and biodiversity documentation. SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision for regional maritime cooperation. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plans.
• Deep Ocean Mission for seabed exploration and biodiversity documentation.
• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision for regional maritime cooperation.
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plans.
What India Should Focus On
• Accelerate ratification and implementation of the High Seas Treaty.
• Expand domestic Marine Protected Areas to meet the 30×30 target.
• Regulate domestic deep-sea mining proposals with strict environmental standards.
• Partner with other Global South countries for capacity-building and marine research.
• Strengthen coastal resilience against cyclones, erosion, and sea-level rise.
Conclusion
• The UN Ocean Conference in Nice is a reminder that oceans are global commons — shared by all, and therefore require collective responsibility.
• With more political will, scientific collaboration, and equitable frameworks, the vision of SDG 14 — to conserve and sustainably use the oceans — can become a reality.
• The seas can no longer be seen as limitless resources to be exploited. The world must now shift from “plunder to protection”, as UN Secretary-General António Guterres aptly put it.
Discuss the significance of the UN High Seas Treaty in strengthening global marine governance. What are the key challenges in its implementation? (250 Words)