Charting the Future of Our Ocean: Outcomes from the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice

The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, held from June 9–13 in Nice, France marked a crucial midpoint in the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Co-hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica, the event convened over 60 heads of state and 190 ministers, along with scientists, civil society, Indigenous leaders, and business leaders—all with the shared mission to advance global ocean protection and Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Below Water. REEF Scuba was thrilled to send a team of 5 ocean champions to this year's conference, and we are exited to share the main outcomes from last week. 

High-Level Decisions and Government Commitments

1. High Seas Treaty Momentum

A landmark step came with 19 new ratifications of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ), bringing the total to 50 of the 60 required for it to enter into force. The treaty is intended to safeguard biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction—areas that account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean—by establishing legal protections, transnational marine protected areas, and environmental governance mechanisms.

2. Major Financial Pledges

Although the global need for ocean funding exceeds $175 billion annually, the conference did yield promising commitments:

  • €1 billion from the European Commission for ocean science, conservation, and sustainable fishing as part of the Ocean Pact

  • €3 billion from the European Investment Bank and Asian Development Bank to tackle plastic pollution.

  • $2.5 billion from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean for marine investments (2025–2030).

  • €119 million from AFD and the World Bank for climate resilience in Guinea.

  • €2 million for Mediterranean coastal protection in North Africa.

  • €1.8 million for Marine Protected Areas in Costa Rica and the Mediterranean.

  • €160 million raised by Swen Capital Partners for its Blue Ocean 2 impact fund.

Still, many observers pointed out that financial access remains unequal, particularly for grassroots initiatives, small island states, and coastal nations on the front lines.

3. Progress towards 30x30

Countries are making progress on the international goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, with notable announcements such as French Polynesia creating the largest marine protected area in the world. Many EU countries are also responding to the presence of ‘Paper Parks’, those with designations but insufficient regulations and enforcement, and have committed to ban destructive practices such as bottom trawling within their MPAs.

4. Deep-Sea Mining and Extractive Pressure

One of the most divisive issues at the conference was deep-sea mining. While no official global moratorium was announced, a growing bloc of countries—including Palau, France, Vanuatu, and Fiji—called for a precautionary pause on mining until robust environmental protections are in place. Nonetheless, the International Seabed Authority continues moving ahead with regulatory frameworks that could open extraction by 2026, prompting alarm from scientists and activists.

Civil Society and Regional Initiatives

1. Peace for the Ocean Declaration

Over two dozen countries endorsed this new declaration to reaffirm their commitments to SDG 14. It emphasizes the importance of science-based, Indigenous-informed, and inclusive ocean action, with specific targets for climate resilience, biodiversity, and pollution reduction through 2030.

2. Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition

Launched during the conference, this coalition aims to support coastal cities and communities in adapting to sea-level rise and climate-driven ocean changes. It includes financial, technical, and planning tools for urban resilience and ecosystem restoration.

3. Youth and Emerging Leadership

The event featured strong youth participation and saw the creation of the Coalition of Emerging Ocean Leaders, a new platform of networks empowering young ocean champions to share information and resources, connect with each other, and co-design solutions with governments and science institutions. The coalition presented a manifesto to the French Government calling for "intergenerational equity, Indigenous rights, decolonized ocean education, and fair, accessible funding for youth and community led initiatives”.

A Reality Check: Is the World On Track?

Despite diplomatic progress, there remains significant concern about the global community’s ability to meet its 2030 ocean targets and fulfill the ambitions of the UN Ocean Decade.

The Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality:

  • Despite growing evidence of the ocean’s central role in regulating climate, the conference fell short of meaningfully integrating ocean-climate action across its major outcomes.

  • Only ~2.7% of the ocean is currently protected under effective, enforced Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), far short of the 30x30 goal.

  • Many new pledges are voluntary, lack transparency, or hinge on external funding and future political cycles.

  • Treaties like the BBNJ still face enforcement challenges, particularly in vast international waters.

Financial and Governance Fragmentation:

  • Though new funds were announced, ocean finance remains fragmented, with a heavy reliance on loans or venture capital.

  • Developing nations face high barriers to accessing funds for local marine protection and adaptation.

  • Governance remains siloed across UN bodies, undermining the coordinated response needed for systemic change.

Deep-Sea Mining: A Tipping Point?

The contradictory messaging on deep-sea mining—calls for a pause, but no binding moratorium—exemplifies how regulatory inertia and industrial lobbying continue to threaten fragile ecosystems in uncharted waters.

Final Reflections: From Pledges to Protection

The Nice conference was a critical milestone, but it must not be remembered as just another summit of promises. We, as civil society, are ready for a new era of stewardship. The increasing threat of ocean collapse—rising temperatures, acidification, overfishing, and biodiversity loss—demands:

  • Legally binding and enforceable frameworks

  • Meaningful financial justice for vulnerable nations

  • Full ratification and implementation of the High Seas Treaty

  • An immediate moratorium on high-risk extractive industries like deep-sea mining

  • Integration of Indigenous knowledge, youth leadership, and scientific expertise into decision-making

Without bold, urgent action in the next five years, the UN’s 2030 vision for ocean sustainability will remain aspirational—an ambition lost beneath rising tides. This is the decade of urgency, not diplomacy.


You can read the closing press release from the UN here.


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