IUCN welcomes renewed global resolve for ocean action as third UN Ocean Conference closes

IUCN participated in the Conference with a strong and active delegation with a broad range of expertise and worked tirelessly to advance its priorities for global ocean action. We actively took part in the Ocean Action Panels and hosted a range of side events. The Conference saw several commitments to advance ocean science, including by member states to explore options for establishing an International Panel on Ocean Sustainability. IUCN knowledge tools were also at the forefront of the discussion in side-events. Throughout the week, the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas was presented as an essential tool to ensure management quality and effectiveness of marine protected areas.

UNOC3 brought us close to achieving the 60 ratifications needed for the High Seas Treaty to enter into force, with the number of parties having ratified the treaty increasing to 51 by the end of the Conference. The BBNJ High Ambition Coalition Declaration was adopted at the Conference, under the leadership of the EU, Palau and Seychelles. IUCN is proud to host the secretariat of this Coalition. The EU Commission also launched a Technical Assistance Facility of the EU Global Ocean Programme led by IUCN to support countries in implementing the Treaty.  

As the UNOC3 closes, IUCN welcomes the renewed global resolve for ocean protection and call on States to translate their commitments into actions and scale up financing from all sources, especially for nature-based solutions. From solidarity levies to insurance tools and blue bonds, the financial toolkit is emerging—but we now need to take it to scale. That is why IUCN joined the call for engagement in developing a One Ocean Finance Facility, to drive resources toward marine resilience and ocean-positive economies at scale. IUCN also welcomes the Blue Economy and Finance Forum outcomes and anticipates a growth in science-driven investments that go beyond sustainability towards a truly regenerative blue economy.

IUCN would like to express its sincerest gratitude to the government of France and the city of Nice for their warm hospitality and congratulate Costa Rica and France as co-hosts on a successful UNOC3. Nice saw actors coming together from all parts of the world to exchange ideas and share their views on Ocean Action in an inclusive and open manner under the theme “accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. 

We invite everyone to the IUCN World Conservation Congress this October in Abu Dhabi – the world’s largest gathering for nature empowering transformative conservation – where we will advance the Nice Ocean Action Plan together.

Let us think of the Ocean as our one shared home, the blue water flowing in our veins. It is the Ocean that gives us life. We must act with unity, courage, and urgency – to protect our precious blue planet.