Hopes For UN Ocean Conference

Scoop

28-05-2025

The third UN Ocean Conference in France next month will focus on the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
Member states are expected to adopt a political declaration, ' Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action ', highlighting a need for 'significant and accessible' funding.
Next week's One Ocean Science Congress (3-6 June) will provide a scientific foundation for the UN Ocean Conference (9-13 June).
The SMC asked experts about what they want to see from the UN Ocean Conference, and their plans at the Science Congress.
Linda Faulkner (Ngāti Rangi, Whanganui), Natural Sciences Commissioner for the NZ National Commission for UNESCO and member of the advisory board for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, comments:
'Aotearoa New Zealand is an island nation that sits within the world's largest and deepest ocean basin spanning subtropical to subpolar latitudes; is home to some of the world's most unique biodiversity; is the seabird capital of the world; and is a marine mammal hotspot. It is also the backdrop to a unique ancestral past steeped in a relationship with the ocean that is as vast and varied as Te Moananui-a-Kiwa – the Pacific Ocean.
'The NZ National Commission for UNESCO has been engaging with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development since its inception, looking to bring a uniquely New Zealand perspective, contribution and value to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
'As Natural Sciences Commissioner I'm delighted to be supporting and co-facilitating a global indigenous dialogue session of representatives who will be meeting at the UN Oceans Conference in June to explore the contribution indigenous knowledge, woven alongside modern science, can make to the future of the health and wellbeing of our oceans, and therefore our communities from the local to global scales. We'll be focussing on opportunities and actions in the final five years of the UN Ocean Decade, with a view to identifying what success looks like, and what legacy we'd like to see beyond the Decade.'
Conflict of interest statement: No conflicts of interest. Linda is also Pou Whakarae Te Hiringa Taiao – Chief Scientist Māori Environmental Research at NIWA but is not commenting in that role.
Simon Thrush, Professor of Marine Ecology, Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland/Waipapa Taumata Rau, comments:
'Preliminary documentation for the conference recognises the urgent need to address the biodiversity and climate crisis, while gaining benefits from the Ocean. There is one ocean, and we all rely on it. The ocean is not too big to fail, and it is not too big to fix.
'These are not new issues, and evidence of worrying signs in the state of our ocean have been reported in all marine ecosystems. Critical to the success of action is recognition of the feedbacks between governance and ecosystem where the slow speed of management action can itself drive environmental tipping points.
'The conference can build on a rising swell of acknowledgement of the need to change. The G7 2030 Nature Compact (signed by G7 leaders) recognizes the importance of focus on nature positive actions and calls for urgent, system-wide change. With over half the world's GDP ($US 44,000,000,000) moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services, this conference needs to take the next step.'What I hope to see emerge from the conference is more than a commitment to change – it's rapid and transformative action to restore nature alongside nature-people relationships. Good things can happen. For example, the BBNJ treaty (2023) for the High Seas has progressed Marine Protected Areas beyond national boundaries.
'Transformative change needs to be just and inclusive and to show a vision of life-supporting futures for all. An expanded investment in marine science, especially in biodiversity hot spots and oceanic regions, is needed to close critical knowledge gaps.
'In Aotearoa-New Zealand we have dragged the chain for too long. I hope our nation transitions into an exemplar of positive actions for our Exclusive Economic Zone and the high seas – and becomes an agent of change to assist the large ocean states of the Pacific and Antarctica.'
Conflicts of interest: None declared.
Professor Conrad Pilditch, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of Auckland, comments:
'The upcoming UN Ocean Congress in Nice will focus on supporting and implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 – the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans. 'This focus is long overdue with many of the World's marine ecosystems including in New Zealand suffering from the impacts of global heating, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollutants. The ocean biodiversity and the climate crisis are linked and to improve ocean health we need to transition to an ecosystem-based management approach that recognises the inter-connections and dependencies among the ecological and social ecosystems. We also need to transition to a true-blue economy, one where our activities in the ocean enhance nature and not degrade it.
'My hope for the meeting outcomes is that we not only have a high level of ambition with measurable targets and timelines for reducing key stressors and greatly expanding marine protection, but this is followed by immediate action.
'It is a challenging time for ocean governance in the high seas with international rules-based order shifting and international cooperation facing challenges. However, there are reasons for hope with the BBNJ (2023) bucking the trend with States agreeing on the process for High Seas marine protected areas. I would also want to see expanded investment in ocean science to close critical knowledge gaps and provide a basis for new blue economies.'
No conflicts of interest.
Professor Trisia Farrelly, Senior Research Scientist, Cawthron Institute and Coordinator of Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, comments:
'I'm attending the 2025 UN Ocean Conference with the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty to champion a science-based, legally binding global agreement that addresses plastic pollution across its full life cycle.
'Our objective is to ensure the treaty is grounded in independent evidence, protects human and environmental health, and prioritises justice for frontline, fence line, and Indigenous communities, including those in the Pacific who are disproportionately impacted by plastic pollution.'
No conflicts of interest.
Dr Cath McLeod, Chief Science Officer, Cawthron Institute, comments:
'Cawthron Institute is attending the 2025 One Ocean Science Congress to share our insights and strengthen global collaboration on ocean health and sustainable food systems.
'We're proud to represent Aotearoa New Zealand's leadership in marine research and innovation at this critical international forum, with a particular focus on supporting Pacific-led science and elevating Indigenous knowledge. This is an important opportunity to build partnerships that support resilient ecosystems, climate adaptation, and blue economy growth across our region.'
No conflicts of interest.
Associate Professor Xavier Pochon, Molecular Surveillance Team Leader, Cawthron Institute and Science Leader for Citizens of the Sea, comments:
'It's a privilege to represent Cawthron and Citizens of the Sea at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference and the One Ocean Science Congress in France this June to amplify community voices in global ocean governance.
'Cawthron Institute co-founded Citizens of the Sea because we believe people must be at the heart of ocean protection — from scientists and fishers to youth and Indigenous leaders — and this is a vital opportunity to highlight citizen-led action, foster knowledge exchange, and promote ocean stewardship across all levels of society.'
No conflicts of interest.