The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, answers a call for a transformative ocean plan for 2025-2030, ahead of 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France.
70 days before France and Costa Rica co-host the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the largest global gathering ever dedicated to the ocean, a global group of thought leaders and ocean champions launch a Manifesto calling on world leaders to act. The announcement takes place during ‘SOS Ocean,’ hosted by Oceano Azul Foundation, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The ambitious Manifesto, titled “To Those Who Will Decide and Act for the Ocean,” calls on governments to “lead by example”. The call to action emphasizes five major ocean themes, including the establishment of a robust international governance framework, tackling pollution, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring a sustainable blue economy and increasing ocean knowledge. Key asks from civil society and endorsing organizations include:
- An immediate global moratorium on deep-sea mining for at least 10 to 15 years, or until sufficient knowledge is available to make informed decisions.
- 60 nations to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty (“Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction”) by June 9, 2025, when UNOC3 begins, in order for the Treaty to enter into force.
- Public support for the adoption of a Global Plastics Treaty, ensuring that agreement can be approved during the next negotiation session in Geneva starting August 5, 2025.
- Implementation of the decarbonization of maritime transport, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and becoming completely carbon-neutral by 2050.
- A collective effort to create a roadmap for countries to contribute to protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, including at least 10% under strict protection. Promoting at UNOC3 the best ocean-based solutions across the Rio Convention for a coherent action for climate and biodiversity.
- Mobilization of financial actors to launch large-scale investment mechanisms to finance projects in the blue economy.
- Curb harmful fishery subsidies, guarantee preferential access for small-scale fisheries in the territorial sea, and ban destructive activities such as bottom trawling by 2030.
10 years after the landmark COP21 agreement, the City of Paris further supported this urgent call to action by lighting up the Eiffel Tower in honor of the ocean, for the first time.
Oceano Azul Foundation hosts the ‘SOS Ocean’ summit, which will be closed by the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Summit takes place in Paris on 30th – 31stMarch where this Manifesto will be presented, and brings together 90 global thought leaders across politics, civil society, and business who are behind the latest science and policy drives around ocean knowledge, conservation and economy.
Only 21 countries have ratified the UN’s High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) to date, compared with the 60 needed for its entry into force; negotiations on a global Plastics Treaty have stalled before negotiations re-open in August; and meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Ocean use and conservation) by 2030 will require an investment of over US $175bn each year. The Manifesto describes UNOC3 as one of the most important gatherings of the international community, and states, “We must not merely speak or settle for a consensual political declaration negotiated before the Conference. We must act.”
“Our ambition needs to be practical and pragmatic. We must demand for unprecedented actionable results for UNOC 3. Let us demand a transformative agenda for 2025-2030, which may prioritize solutions for the ocean problems.” said José Soares dos Santos, Oceano Azul Foundation chairman, which is partnering with France in preparation of UNOC3.
“When an “SOS” is heard at sea, sailors change course to assist those in danger. UNOC3 will be a critical moment, and we cannot succeed if nations backslide on planetary goals. Climate change had Paris and now the failing ocean must have Nice!” stated Tiago Pitta e Cunha, CEO of Oceano Azul Foundation.
“By convening global leaders at the SOS Ocean summit, France is helping spotlight just how critical the ocean is to sustaining life and livelihoods around the world,” said Antha Williams, who leads the Environment Program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The ocean supports incredible biodiversity, helps regulate our climate, and sustains communities across the globe. Despite its importance, the ocean continues to be overlooked in global policy and funding. While ocean conservation receives only a fraction of the support it deserves, we are finally seeing progress through multilateral efforts such as the High Seas Treaty and the global 30×30 commitment. The upcoming UN Ocean Conference is a vital opportunity to build on this momentum, unlock financing, and match the ocean’s vast potential with equally bold ambition.”
Click here to read the full Manifesto “To Those Who Will Decide and Act for the Ocean”
About Oceano Azul Foundation
Oceano Azul Foundation, established in 2017, is an international organization dedicated to promoting a healthy and thriving ocean for the benefit of all life on Earth. Guided by its motto, From the ocean’s point of view, the Foundation focuses on key areas such as ocean conservation, international advocacy, and ocean policies, frameworks, and economics. In ocean conservation, the Foundation promotes and facilitates the creation and implementation of effective and science-based Marine Protected Areas, contributing to the global goal of safeguarding 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Through its international advocacy efforts, the Foundation promotes an ambitious ocean agenda, encouraging informed and responsible decision-making on a global scale. When it comes to policies, frameworks, and economics, the Foundation supports a shift from today’s extractive economic model to a sustainable, circular, and low-carbon blue bioeconomy. By valuing blue natural capital, this approach aims to establish a new economic model that respects and preserves the ocean’s ecological balance.
Oceano Azul Foundation also develops communication campaigns to increase the impact of its actions by raising awareness and understanding of the importance of protecting and restoring the ocean. Follow us on LinkedIn,Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.