Reflecting on International Climate Negotiations: UN Ocean Conference and Beyond

By: Marcia Moreno-Báez

The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the largest UN event ever focused on protecting the ocean, was a milestone for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 14. Expectations were high, and for good reason, as many saw it as a turning point for global ocean action leading up to 2030.

The conference was held in Nice, France, from June 9–13 and co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. The conference centered around the theme “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.  Bringing together heads of state, government officials, researchers, civil society, Indigenous and coastal communities, businesses, financial institutions, and local leaders, it was the most comprehensive summit on ocean issues to date.

In the opening plenary, both French President Emmanuel Macron and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles led with powerful remarks on the urgent challenges, and opportunities, we face in restoring ocean health.

I attended the conference in multiple capacities. I was there on behalf of my university, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. I also joined the Global Center for Climate Mobility delegation, representing Tuvalu—a small island nation already living through the devastating realities of climate change. In addition, I participated as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Regenerative Blue Economy.

But beyond all the formal titles, I was especially proud to be part of the Mexican delegation, committed to protecting our country’s coasts and marine ecosystems. I also carried the voices of many people and organizations—especially fishers—who are on the front lines every day, working to safeguard the ocean we all depend on.

With Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, at UNOC3.

In the lead-up to UNOC3, the One Ocean Science Congress brought together scientists and policymakers to strengthen the link between science and decision-making, something essential for addressing big ocean challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, overfishing, and pollution.

At the conference, I had a chance to visit several booths showcasing cutting-edge technology, science, and design. One highlight, especially given my interest in geospatial tools, was seeing underwater drones and related innovations that are contributing to the creation of the “Digital Ocean”, a virtual model of the ocean aimed at supporting research, early warning systems, and smarter ocean planning.

Another milestone was the signing of the treaty establishing the Mercator International Center for the Ocean, a major step toward improving how we understand and manage marine environments. This initiative was backed by 12 European countries, with Norway and France leading the way, which aims to develop advanced digital tools to model everything from ocean physics to ecosystems. This kind of modeling is essential for monitoring ocean health, predicting climate-related changes, and supporting evidence-based decision-making across sectors. By generating high-quality, accessible data, the center has the potential to become a key resource for global cooperation on ocean governance and sustainability.

To promote transparency and accountability, scientists also launched the Starfish Barometer on June 8th, the World Ocean Day 2025! This annual, peer-reviewed report will track ocean health, human impacts, and their social consequences and it is presented in clear, accessible language for both the public and decision-makers. Definitely something worth keeping an eye on!

In parallel, the International Platform for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS) was introduced to help governments access science-based, locally relevant policy solutions as they work toward their ocean goals.

Finally, UNOC3 saw the creation of the International Marine Universities Network, uniting 140 universities for the first time. This network will promote new education programs, professional training, and collaboration across science, civil society, and policy to build stronger bridges to create a more sustainable and fair future for our ocean.

Together, these initiatives signal a powerful shift toward a more science-driven, inclusive, and solutions-oriented approach to protecting our ocean, one that gives us real hope for turning the tide by 2030.

Elevating coastal voices in ocean governance

One of the most meaningful sessions I attended at the conference was Ocean Action Panel 5: Fostering Sustainable Fisheries Management, Including Supporting Small-Scale Fishers. This topic really hit home for me. During my PhD research in the Northern Gulf of California, I had the privilege of working closely with small-scale fishing communities. Their relationship with the ocean goes far beyond food—it’s deeply woven into their identity, culture, and daily life.

Throughout the conference, a key question kept coming up, “how can we bring different sectors together to invest in a healthy ocean?” Yet, it was clear that not all voices were being heard, especially those of small-scale coastal fishers, who are on the front lines of shifting ocean conditions and declining resources every day.

These communities are essential. Small-scale fisheries provide nearly 40% of the world’s ocean-based protein and help feed over 100 million people (nature). They’re cornerstones of food security and local economies. And in many cases - especially for island nations where the ocean covers more than 95% of their territory - it’s not just a resource. It’s a lifeline.

What stood out most was how, despite limited resources, many of these countries and communities are leading the way. At UNOC3, Pacific Island leaders issued a powerful declaration pointing out that climate change is one of the greatest threats they face and that scientists have warned that up to 20% of tuna in their waters could be gone by 2050. This isn’t just a local concern — these nations oversee half the world’s tuna supply, so a decline of that magnitude could deeply impact global food security, economies reliant on tuna exports, and the millions of consumers around the world who depend on it as a staple. For coastal communities, the consequences are even more immediate: loss of livelihoods, food sources, and the erosion of cultural ties to the ocean.And yet, these nations, who oversee half the world’s tuna supply, are pushing for stronger regional cooperation and better governance.

Indigenous voices were strong too. Over 200 Indigenous and ocean-based community representatives came together on World Ocean Day to speak directly to world leaders. Youth were just as bold—30 youth organizations representing 1.2 million young people presented the World Manifesto of Young Citizens of the Ocean. And the Women Actions for the Ocean platform, launched in Nice, brought together over 2,000 women from 45 countries to strengthen global advocacy.

Indigenous leaders, small-scale fishers, women, youth, researchers, and civil society alike are calling for one thing: a real seat at the table. They want to be systematically included in ocean decision-making. Their demands go beyond policy – they’re about human rights, climate justice, and even recognizing the Ocean itself as a legal entity deserving protection.

Turning capital into action for a sustainable Blue Economy

At UNOC3, ocean finance wasn’t just a side conversation. It was front and center. Session after session underscored a growing consensus that we need to mobilize both public and private investment to build a more sustainable and regenerative blue economy. And not just any investment, groups called for financing that’s inclusive, science-informed, and grounded in local and traditional knowledge so benefits actually reach the communities that depend on the ocean.

One big question echoed throughout the week: how can we guide private finance toward real ocean priorities like climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and addressing loss and damage?

At the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) in Monaco, held just before the main conference, €8.7 billion in investment was pledged over the next five years. Half of that is coming from private investors and philanthropies working together through the new Philanthropies and Investors for Ocean initiative. It’s a sign that ocean finance is finally gaining traction across sectors. In fact, institutions supporting the #BackBlue Ocean Finance Commitment now manage more than €3 trillion in assets, signaling a major shift in how the finance and insurance sectors view ocean risk and opportunity.

Public development banks are stepping up too. Twenty of them have joined forces to create the Ocean Coalition of Finance in Common, committing $7.5 billion annually to sustainable blue finance. On the corporate side, the Business in Ocean initiative brought together 80 organizations from 25 countries. Together they represent €600 billion in turnover and over 2 million jobs. Their collective pledge is to integrate ocean-related risks, increase transparency, invest in ocean solutions, and ensure that the shift to sustainability is just and inclusive.

Another highlight was the launch of the Sustainable Blue Tourism Pact by 15 major tourism and shipping companies. Their goals are to move toward carbon-neutral operations and build stronger partnerships for sustainable coastal tourism. UNOC3 also built on the momentum from the historic carbon pricing agreement adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) earlier this year. This policy aims to fully decarbonize maritime transport by 2050 and is expected to mobilize $100 billion over the next decade. It will support clean fuel development, energy transitions in the Global South, and innovations like wind-powered ships.

Looking ahead, there’s even more momentum. UN agencies and global partners announced the upcoming One Ocean Finance Facility. This will be a blended finance platform designed to support all SDG 14 targets and help developing countries tap into global ocean value chains.

One of the most inspiring examples came from Seychelles. Back in 2016, the country signed the world’s first ocean-focused debt-for-nature swap. Today, that agreement has helped power a Marine Spatial Plan covering 1.35 million square kilometers. It’s proof that forward-thinking, inclusive marine planning isn’t just possible—it works.

For example, in Mexico and really, throughout Latin America, we have a unique opportunity to build marine spatial planning systems that are both strong and inclusive. One initiative in Mexico that’s starting to gain real momentum is the idea of Marine Prosperity Areas. I think this could actually become a global model. These areas take a holistic approach to ocean management, where financial investments are used not just for conservation, but to improve the well-being of local communities—especially during periods of active ecological restoration. And honestly, I believe they’re just as important when communities are going through economic transitions and exploring new ways to diversify their livelihoods. If we’re serious about building a Blue Economy in Mexico that’s truly fair and lasting, then initiatives like these are going to be key.

A turning tide in Ocean Governance

Several of the sessions I joined focused on this fundamental issue: how we can strengthen the laws and institutions that protect the ocean? The goal is clear. We need fair, effective ocean governance that’s rooted in justice, equity, and collaboration. Without it, the ongoing damage to ocean health will only accelerate, affecting every living being that relies on the ocean.

One of the last sessions I attended, the Ocean Action Panel 10, explored how international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), can support ocean conservation.Speakers emphasized just how urgent the situation is. We need to end illegal and unregulated fishing, stop overfishing, reduce marine pollution, and get stronger commitments from both regional and local leaders. There was also a shared understanding that no one can do this alone – cooperation across different ocean regions is key.

And there were some real breakthroughs. One of the most exciting was the progress on the High Seas Treaty, a global agreement to protect parts of the ocean that lie beyond national borders. So far, 50 countries have ratified the treaty. That puts us closer than ever to making it international law.

Blue carbon ecosystems were also in the spotlight. These include mangroves and coral reefs, which are not only rich in biodiversity but also powerful allies in the fight against climate change. Brazil, home to the world’s second-largest mangrove forests, joined 37 other countries in backing the Mangrove Breakthrough, a global effort to protect coastal areas and the communities that rely on them. Another major commitment focused on safeguarding coral reefs, often called the “thermometer of the ocean” because they respond so quickly to warming waters and acidification.

There’s a real sense of momentum. In total, 50 countries have now officially ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, better known as the High Seas Treaty. Six more have finalized the process domestically, and twelve others are expected to complete it by September 2025, during the UN General Assembly.

If that timeline holds, the treaty could enter into force by January 2026. It would cover 64 percent of the ocean—nearly half of the Earth’s surface—and open the door for something unprecedented: COP1 for the Ocean, the first global summit dedicated entirely to ocean governance.

This would be a historic moment. For context, it took UNCLOS 12 years to come into effect. The fact that the High Seas Treaty might make it in just two shows just how urgent this moment is, and how much global unity there is in the effort to protect our ocean.

Why ocean action can’t wait

This Ocean Conference was a powerful reminder of just how essential the ocean is. It connects continents, sustains island nations, and links us all, no matter where we live. It also made clear how important international frameworks like UNCLOS, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, are as the foundation for global ocean governance.

There’s growing momentum to address big issues like plastic pollution, unsustainable shipping, and climate-driven impacts. But one thing came through clearly. The real challenge isn’t always about making new rules – it’s about putting the existing ones into action. Strengthening and enforcing what we’ve already agreed on is just as important as creating new frameworks.

That’s why technical support and capacity building are so important, especially for developing countries. We need to make sure all nations have the tools, resources, and training to protect their marine ecosystems and engage in ocean governance on equal footing.

Passing on knowledge and responsibility to the next generation is just as crucial. With 2030 right around the corner, time is running short. Reaching our ocean goals will require urgent action, smarter coordination, and more collaboration than ever.

More than anything, this conference reminded me that multilateralism, coming together across borders and sectors, is still our best hope. This is exactly the type of global leadership and problem-solving that the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, especially through its Center for International Environment and Resource Policy (CIERP), is committed to nurturing. By bringing students, scholars, and practitioners together, they’re building the capacity and networks needed to support ocean governance and environmental diplomacy.

If we continue to leverage institutions like Fletcher and CIERP alongside committed nations and communities, we stand a much better chance of protecting the ocean and sharing its benefits fairly and sustainably for generations to come.