Third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC)-2025

General Studies Paper -3

Context

• Recently, the third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC), held in Nice, France, concluded with commitments aimed at safeguarding the planet’s marine ecosystems.

Key Outcomes of the Conference (2025)

• High Seas Treaty Nears Enforcement: Fifty-six of the required sixty countries have ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement (aka High Seas Treaty).
  • It enables the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs) in international waters, regulate marine genetic resources, and mandate environmental impact assessments.
• Voluntary Commitments and Financial Pledges: The European Commission pledged 1 Billion Euro to support ocean conservation and sustainable fishing.
  • French Polynesia announced plans to establish the world’s largest marine protected area, covering its entire exclusive economic zone—about five million square kilometers.
• Global Political Declaration: Over 170 countries adopted the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a political declaration paired with more than 800 voluntary commitments.
  • These range from youth advocacy to deep-sea ecosystem literacy and capacity-building in marine science.
• Pushback Against Deep-Sea Mining: A growing coalition of nations called for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, citing its potential to irreversibly damage fragile marine ecosystems.
• India’s Role and Roadmap: India pledged to ratify the High Seas Treaty and proposed a 10-point roadmap for sustainable ocean governance. It includes:
  • Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
  • Scale Up the Blue Economy
  • Reduce Marine Pollution
  • Promote Offshore Renewable Energy
  • Support the Global Plastics Treaty
  • Invest in Ocean Science and Technology
  • Strengthen Coastal Resilience
  • Ensure Equitable Access to Marine Resources
  • Pause Deep-Sea Mining
  • Foster Global Partnerships

About High Seas

• The high seas refer to areas of the ocean that lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country — specifically, beyond 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometers) from a nation’s coastline (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea-UNCLOS).
• These waters are considered part of the global commons.
• The high seas make up nearly two-thirds of the ocean’s surface and are vital for regulating Earth’s climate, supporting marine biodiversity, and sustaining global fisheries.

Importance of Oceans

• Climate Regulation: Oceans absorb over 25% of global carbon emissions and generate 50% of the oxygen.
  • They act as Earth’s largest carbon sink and heat buffer, helping stabilize the climate.
• Food Security: Oceans provide 15% of the animal protein consumed globally.
  • In some developing nations, seafood is the primary protein source for over half the population.
• Livelihoods and Economy: More than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal resources for their livelihoods.
  • The ocean economy is valued at $3–5 trillion annually, supporting industries like fisheries, tourism, and shipping.
• Biodiversity Reservoir: Oceans host an immense variety of life—from coral reefs to deep-sea ecosystems that are essential for ecological balance and future scientific discoveries.

Key Concerns

• Ocean Pollutions: An estimated 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic. Each year, 8 to 12 million metric tons more are added.
  • Asia largest (81%) contributors of ocean plastic pollution (largely due to inadequate waste management systems).
  • About 92% of microplastics have been found in 60% of fish consumed by humans annually.
  • Five major ocean garbage patches, with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch containing an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of trash.
  • About 14 million metric tons of ocean garbage rest on the seafloor.
  • By 2050, plastic in the ocean is projected to outweigh all fish if current trends continue.
  • Currently, the ocean’s average pH is 8.1 which is about 30% more acidic than in pre- industrial times.
• Other Concerns:
  • Overfishing, threatening marine species and food chains.
  • Climate change, causing acidification, sea-level rise, and coral bleaching.
  • Deep-sea mining, which risks irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems.

Ocean Conservation Efforts

• Early Foundations (Pre-1970s): International Whaling Commission (1946), one of the first global marine conservation agreements.
  • Institutionalization (1970s–1990s): The US passed the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (1972), and the Law of the Sea Convention (1982) laid the groundwork for international maritime law.
• Scientific & Global Expansion (2000s–2010s):
  • Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Countries began designating MPAs to safeguard biodiversity. However, only about 2.7% of the oceans were highly protected till 2020.
  • Data-Driven Conservation: Initiatives like MegaMove used satellite tracking to identify critical habitats for marine megafauna, helping shape smarter conservation strategies.
• Modern Era (2020s–Present):
  • High Seas Treaty (2023): It allows for the creation of MPAs in international waters—covering nearly two-thirds of the ocean.
  • 30×30 Goal: At COP15 in 2022, nations committed to protecting 30% of oceans by 2030.
• Indigenous Knowledge Integration: Pacific Islander traditions are increasingly recognized as vital to conservation, blending ancestral wisdom with modern science.