What did the UN Ocean Conference in Nice achieve?

Today marks the end of the third UN Ocean Conference, organized by France and Costa Rica in the capital of the French Riviera. Since Monday, world leaders have been debating the changes needed to save the planet’s most vital ecosystem: the high seas. What has been accomplished?

The ocean speaks to us through bleached corals, more frequent and intense storms, weakened mangrove forests, and species that will never return, said Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President of Costa Rica, in his opening remarks. French President Emmanuel Macron added that the ocean is not for sale. This idea – urgent action and resistance to the dominance of economic interests – was the dominant theme in Nice throughout the week.

High Seas Treaty getting closer

On the first day of the conference, 18 countries ratified the High Seas Treaty, a pact to protect biodiversity in international waters. The number of signatories has now risen to 49, but 11 more are still needed to reach the required threshold. The treaty will enter into force 120 days after the 60th ratification.

This will be the first global document regulating the protection of ocean zones beyond national jurisdiction. It will enable the establishment of protected areas in the open seas and allow for the oversight of controversial activities such as deep-sea mining.

During the opening ceremony, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will allocate €40 million to support the High Seas Treaty. These funds aim to help African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries ratify and implement the treaty.

UN Ocean Conference filled with high-seas ambitions

One of the key topics discussed was the growing pollution of seas and oceans, and the related need to finalize the UN Plastics Treaty. After the failure of the 2024 negotiations, as many as 95 countries voiced strong support for an ambitious approach focused on controlling the entire life cycle of plastics.

There was also a recurring emphasis on the need to enhance and deepen international cooperation to control marine pollution, which, after all, knows no national boundaries. Actions aimed at relieving the oceans included further progress in the decarbonization of maritime transport and the development of future-friendly ports—more environmentally sustainable and efficient.

Blue economy and ocean finance

The UN Ocean Conference in Nice did not overlook a critical issue: the financial and economic aspects, without which ambitious plans cannot be realized. Discussions addressed the need for financial support for small island developing states (SIDS), including simplifying application processes and reducing administrative barriers. A top priority was also the consolidation of international funds into a single global ocean protection mechanism (One Ocean Finance Facility), as well as the continued development of innovative financial instruments such as blue bonds, blue carbon credits, and debt-for-nature swaps.

Oceans should not only absorb financial resources – they must become an important part of the global economy. During discussions, participants highlighted the need to develop a blue economy that promotes job equality and social inclusion, particularly for women, youth, and traditional communities.

Fisheries also received considerable attention as a key component of the global food system and an effective tool for poverty reduction in developing countries. Conference participants identified the following modern priorities for the sector:

• support for small-scale fishers;
• development of climate-resilient modern aquaculture;
• sustainable and responsible fisheries management at national and regional levels.

Not only positives

This year’s UN Ocean Conference was not without controversy. One of the most prominent involved accusations against the Costa Rican government, which critics claim is using the event to cover up its own shortcomings. Domestically, the country plans to expand the list of commercially fished marine species from 34 to 234 – without any scientific justification.

Another issue was the absence of U.S. representatives in any official capacity; they attended only as observers. The U.S. administration has openly disagreed with the UN’s sustainable development policies, arguing they harm American interests.

One major point of contention is deep-sea mining. Donald Trump has expressed ambitions for the U.S. to become a global leader and pioneer in this sector. Meanwhile, in Nice, four more countries joined the now 37-member coalition advocating a moratorium on seabed exploitation – an activity whose consequences for global ecosystems remain highly unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Time will tell whether rational caution will prevail or whether blind pursuit of profit will win out.