United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC)- 2025

Main Results of the Conference (2025)

High Seas Treaty Approaches Enforcement: Fifty-six out of the sixty necessary nations have ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty.

It facilitates the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters, governs marine genetic resources, and requires environmental impact assessments.

Voluntary Commitments and Financial Pledges: The European Commission committed 1 Billion Euro to aid ocean conservation and sustainable fishing.

French Polynesia revealed intentions to create the largest marine protected area globally, encompassing its whole exclusive economic zone—approximately five million square kilometers.

Global Political Declaration: More than 170 nations embraced the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a political declaration accompanied by over 800 voluntary pledges.

These encompass youth advocacy, deep-sea ecosystem awareness, and strengthening skills in marine science.

Opposition to Deep-Sea Mining: An increasing alliance of countries demanded a precautionary halt to deep-sea mining, emphasizing its risk of permanently harming delicate marine environments.

India’s Role and Plan: India committed to ratifying the High Seas Treaty and suggested a 10-point plan for sustainable ocean management. It comprises:

Broaden Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Expand the Blue Economy

Minimize Marine Pollution

Encourage Renewable Energy from Offshore Sources

Advocate for the Global Plastics Agreement

Invest in Marine Science and Technology

Enhance Coastal Durability

Guarantee Fair Access to Oceanic Resources

Halt Deep-Sea Mining

Cultivate Worldwide Collaborations

Concerning the High Seas

The high seas denote regions of the ocean that are outside the authority of any one nation — namely, beyond 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 kilometers) from a country's shoreline (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea-UNCLOS).

These bodies of water are viewed as belonging to the global commons.

The vast oceans cover almost two-thirds of the sea's surface and are crucial for controlling the planet's climate, nurturing marine diversity, and maintaining worldwide fisheries.

Significance of Oceans

Climate Regulation: Oceans take in more than 25% of worldwide carbon emissions and produce 50% of the oxygen.

They serve as the planet's most significant carbon storage and temperature regulator, aiding in climate stabilization.

Food Security: The oceans supply 15% of the animal-based protein eaten worldwide.

In certain developing countries, seafood is the main protein source for more than fifty percent of the population.

Livelihoods and Economy: Over 3 billion individuals rely on marine and coastal resources for their sustenance.

The ocean economy is estimated to be worth $3–5 trillion per year, underpinning sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and shipping.

Biodiversity Reservoir: Oceans contain a vast array of life, ranging from coral reefs to deep-sea habitats that are crucial for ecological equilibrium and prospective scientific breakthroughs.

Main Issues

Ocean Pollution: It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic. Every year, an additional 8 to 12 million metric tons are accumulated.

Asia accounts for the largest share (81%) of ocean plastic pollution, primarily due to insufficient waste management systems.

Approximately 92% of microplastics are discovered in 60% of the fish that people eat each year.

Five significant oceanic garbage patches exist, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch holding an estimated 1.8 trillion bits of waste.

Approximately 14 million metric tons of waste from the ocean lie on the ocean floor.

If current trends persist, plastic in the ocean is expected to surpass the weight of all fish by 2050.

At present, the average pH of the ocean is 8.1, making it roughly 30% more acidic compared to pre-industrial periods.

Additional Issues:

Overfishing endangers marine species and disrupts food chains.

Climate change leads to acidification, rising sea levels, and coral bleaching.

Deep-sea mining poses a threat of permanent harm to delicate ecosystems.

Efforts for Ocean Conservation

Initial Foundations (Pre-1970s): The International Whaling Commission (1946), among the earliest global agreements for marine conservation.

Institutionalization (1970s–1990s): The US enacted the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (1972), and the Law of the Sea Convention (1982) established the foundation for global maritime law.

Scientific and Worldwide Growth (2000s–2010s):

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Nations started establishing MPAs to protect biodiversity. Nevertheless, merely around 2.7% of the oceans received high levels of protection by 2020.

Data-Driven Conservation: Projects such as MegaMove utilized satellite tracking to pinpoint essential habitats for marine megafauna, contributing to the development of more effective conservation strategies.

Contemporary Period (2020s–Present):

High Seas Treaty (2023): It permits the establishment of MPAs in international waters, encompassing almost two-thirds of the ocean.

30×30 Goal: During COP15 in 2022, countries pledged to safeguard 30% of oceans by the year 2030.

Integration of Indigenous Knowledge: The traditions of Pacific Islanders are being acknowledged as essential for conservation, merging age-old wisdom with contemporary science.