UN Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice: High Seas Treaty Notes
Why in the news
The UN Ocean Conference 2025 met in Nice, France, from 9 to 13 June, with France and Costa Rica as co-hosts. Leaders, ministers, scientists and civil society worked on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).
Key facts
- Theme: accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.
- BBNJ Agreement (High Seas Treaty) protects marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.
- Goals: Marine Protected Areas, rules on marine genetic resources, environmental impact assessments, capacity building and technology transfer.
| BBNJ ratification | Status |
|---|---|
| Ratified at the time | 56 countries |
| Needed to take effect | 60 |
| After 60th ratification | 120-day wait before it applies |
| India | Not yet ratified; process under way |
| United States | Not ratified |
Concerns
- Fair sharing of commercial gains from deep-sea genetic resources.
- Rules for deep-sea mining and extraction.
- Stronger safeguards for fragile marine ecosystems; many demanded stricter limits on extraction in international waters.
India’s role
- Hosted the second Blue Talks in New Delhi before the conference, on blue economy strategy, marine resource use, ocean livelihoods and conservation.
- Blue economy: sustainable ocean use for growth, jobs and healthy ecosystems; sectors are fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, coastal tourism and renewable ocean energy.
Significance
- Boosted momentum for ocean conservation and SDG 14.
- Sped up the High Seas Treaty process and flagged deep-sea mining worries.
Exam angle
- Venue and co-hosts: Nice; France and Costa Rica.
- Ratification threshold: 60.