The UN Ocean Conference in Nice has been hailed as a turning point in marine conservation efforts, as countries rally behind key environmental agreements, including the landmark High Seas Treaty.
Gathering nearly 200 nations, the summit aimed to galvanise international action on critical oceanic threats, ranging from plastic pollution to climate change and unsustainable fishing practices.
A central goal of the conference was to accelerate ratification of the High Seas Treaty, first signed in 2023, which seeks to designate 30% of international waters as protected areas. Before the meeting began, only 27 countries had ratified the agreement — less than half of the 60 required for it to take effect. However, by the close of the week, that number had surged to 50, with a dozen more pledging to follow suit before the end of 2025.
Environmental experts hailed the speed of progress. “Ratification often takes five to seven years,” said Elizabeth Wilson, senior director for environmental policy at The Pew Trusts. “The fact that we’re on the cusp of bringing the High Seas Treaty into force shows the global momentum to protect our oceans.”
The outcome has restored confidence in multilateral cooperation following a series of faltering negotiations on biodiversity, plastics, and climate in 2024. “UNOC has given us a glimmer of hope that the challenges facing our ocean are being seen and will be tackled,” said Tony Long, CEO of Global Fishing Watch.
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Sir David Attenborough, who spoke out ahead of the conference, expressed his deep concern over destructive fishing methods. He urged global leaders to act decisively, saying he hoped they would “realise how much the oceans matter to all of us”.
In addition to progress on international treaties, several countries made individual commitments. The UK announced plans to ban bottom trawling in nearly a third of English marine protected areas (MPAs), addressing longstanding calls from environmental groups who argue that without such measures, MPAs offer little actual protection.
French Polynesia unveiled the largest ever marine protected area within its own waters, covering over 900,000 square kilometres — more than four times the size of the UK — where extractive fishing and seabed mining will be prohibited.
With these and other pledges, approximately 10% of the world’s oceans are now under some form of protection.
While most nations expressed support, some key players remain hesitant. The United States and China, both signatories to the High Seas Treaty, have yet to ratify it. Russia reaffirmed its longstanding opposition due to concerns over the treaty’s potential impact on its fisheries.
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Nonetheless, progress was recognised across the board. John Kerry, former US Secretary of State and Climate Envoy, commended the developments: “From the High Seas Treaty to French Polynesia’s protected area, UNOC proves that when we work together, real accomplishments are possible.”
In a notable move, China also ratified the Port State Measures Agreement during the conference — a binding commitment to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Given that China operates the world’s largest fishing fleet, this decision was welcomed as a major step forward.
Astrid Puentes, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, underscored the importance of continued cooperation: “This is sending a message to the world that multilateralism is important. The ocean is a single biome on the planet — we must strengthen international law to protect it.” While the road ahead remains challenging, the outcomes of the Nice conference signal a renewed global resolve to preserve the world’s oceans for future generations.
