UN Ocean Summit in Nice: Global Ocean Crisis and the 30% Protection Target

The third UN Ocean Summit officially opened in Nice, France, on June 9–13, 2025. This event, attended by over 60 heads of state, drew global attention to the severe threats facing the world’s oceans: rising sea temperatures, uncontrolled plastic pollution, and excessive exploitation of marine resources. All stakeholders—from governments and scientists to the private sector—participated in the conference, which targets $100 billion in financing and the protection of 30% of the world’s ocean zones by 2030.

Real Threats Facing the World’s Oceans

The main issue raised at this year’s UN Ocean Summit is the worsening ecological crisis in the world’s seas. Recent data shows that only 2.7% of the world’s ocean area is truly protected, far below the 30% target set in the Kunming-Montreal Agreement. The oceans are experiencing extreme temperature increases due to climate change, causing coral bleaching and disrupting the marine food chain.

In addition, plastic pollution is a key concern. Each year, more than 8 million tons of plastic pollute the oceans, damaging ecosystems and threatening marine life. This pollution is made worse by rising emissions from shipping and uncontrolled natural resource exploitation. This situation urges world leaders to take concrete and sustainable action.

Ambitious Target: 30% Ocean Zone Protection

One of the main agendas of the summit is the global commitment to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Currently, marine protection efforts are still dominated by “paper parks” or conservation areas that exist on paper but lack real implementation. French President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of speeding up the ratification of the High Seas Treaty, an international agreement that allows the establishment of protected areas in international waters.

The conference also highlighted the urgent need for funding. Through blue bond and blue loan schemes, countries are expected to raise up to $100 billion to support marine conservation and the development of a sustainable blue economy. Pacific island nations such as Fiji, Samoa, and Tuvalu stressed the importance of ocean protection as an adaptation step against climate change that threatens their very survival.

Concrete Steps: Combating Plastic Pollution and Exploitation

Beyond protection commitments, the UN Ocean Summit in Nice also discussed real actions to tackle plastic pollution and reduce emissions from the shipping industry. An international agreement to restrict single-use plastics was a key topic. Technological innovation to clean the seas of microplastics and encourage a circular economy in the marine sector was also presented in several discussion sessions.

The involvement of the private sector and philanthropic organizations is seen as crucial to achieving these ambitious targets. With cross-sector synergy and accelerated innovation, efforts to save the oceans are expected to become more effective.

Pushing Ratification and Follow-Up

So far, only 32 countries have ratified the High Seas Treaty, while at least 60 countries are needed for the agreement to take effect. The push for immediate ratification was sharply highlighted, given that time is running out. At this summit, global collaboration and transparency in ocean resource management were reinforced as the main foundations for sustainable ocean protection.

Through the UN Ocean Summit in Nice, the world is once again reminded that the continuity of marine ecosystems is key to the future of humanity and the planet. Political commitment, sufficient funding, and real cross-sectoral action are absolutely essential to keep the world’s oceans sustainable and beneficial for future generations.