Reference:

• The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was hosted jointly by France and Costa Rica in the city of Nice, France.

Key Points:

• Theme of the conference: “Accelerating Action through Ocean-based Stakeholder Engagement”
• Objective of the conference: To promote urgent and scaled-up action for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development, and to identify further ways to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
• The conference aimed to build on existing instruments to foster effective partnerships towards the accelerated conclusion and efficient implementation of ongoing processes contributing to ocean conservation and sustainable use.
• The conference included all relevant stakeholders, including governments, UN system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, academic institutions, scientific community, private sector, philanthropic organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities, and other stakeholders to assess challenges, opportunities, and steps taken in the implementation of SDG 14.

Main Outcomes:

• International Declaration: More than 170 countries adopted an intergovernmental declaration pledging urgent action for ocean protection. The declaration focused on sustainable fisheries, pollution control, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
• Expansion of Partnerships: The conference promoted partnerships among governments, scientific institutions, civil society, and industries. For example, the “10,000 Ships Initiative” encouraged the use of commercial ships for ocean observation.
• Financial Commitments: New financial resources were announced for ocean protection, though specific amounts remain limited. This was a step toward addressing the funding gap for SDG 14.
• High Seas Treaty: Consensus was reached to accelerate the implementation of the High Seas Treaty to protect marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.
• Capacity Building: Emphasis was placed on capacity building in ocean science and management for developing countries, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Key Indian Initiatives Showcased at UNOC3:

• India was represented by Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh.
• Deep Ocean Mission and ‘Samudrayaan’: India aims to send a manned submersible up to 6,000 meters deep under the Samudrayaan mission by 2026. This mission reflects India’s multi-dimensional Blue Economy approach, including exploration of biodiversity and mineral resources, climate forecasting, renewable energy potential, and establishment of marine research labs.
• Action on Plastic Pollution: India has implemented a national ban on single-use plastic and removed over 50,000 tons of plastic waste by cleaning more than 1,000 km of coastline under the 'Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar' campaign. India has drafted a Marine Litter Policy and supports the Global Plastic Treaty.
• Development of Blue Economy: Under the Sagarmala programme, India has invested nearly USD 80 billion (INR 5.5 lakh crore) in port-based infrastructure. The programme aims to expand coastal and inland waterways, reduce logistics costs, and enhance maritime trade competitiveness. An additional USD 2.5 billion investment under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana has led to a 10% increase in fish production and the formation of 1,000+ Fish Farmer Producer Organizations.
• Marine Biodiversity Efforts: India has declared 6.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as Marine Protected Areas and restored over 10,000 hectares of mangroves.
• Marine Data Transparency: India launched the ‘SAHAV’ portal—a digital ocean governance platform for science-based and transparent decision-making.
• International Leadership: India co-led the “Blue Talks” with France and Costa Rica, participated in high-level panels, and advocated for equal access to ocean data and capacity building in developing countries.

United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC):

• The United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) is a major global platform aimed at addressing critical issues related to ocean health, sustainability, and conservation.
• The conference promotes international cooperation and concrete actions to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 — “Life Below Water”.

Main Objectives:

• To prevent ocean pollution and protect marine ecosystems
• To promote sustainable fisheries and conservation of marine resources
• To address the impacts of climate change on oceans
• To foster marine science, technology, and innovation
• To ensure progress toward achieving SDG 14

Major Editions of UNOC:

• 2017: First conference in New York, co-hosted by Fiji and Sweden
• 2022: Second conference in Lisbon, co-hosted by Portugal and Kenya
• 2025: Third conference in Nice, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica
• 2028: Fourth conference to be hosted jointly by China and South Korea (Republic of Korea) — the first time two Asian countries will host this global conference.