Why the UN Ocean Conference 2025 Was Make-or-Break for Marine Protected Areas – The National Interest

Report on the 2025 UN Ocean Conference: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Marine Protected Areas

Introduction

The 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference, held from June 9–13 in Nice, France, co-organized by France and Costa Rica, convened over 14,000 delegates from 175 countries. The conference focused on accelerating ocean action to fulfill Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water. Despite previous commitments, only 8% of the world’s oceans are currently protected, with a mere 3% fully safeguarded from extraction or degradation.

Monumental Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Beyond Political Boundaries

Significant announcements at the conference highlighted the expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are critical to achieving SDG 14 targets:

1. French Polynesia’s New MPA: Declaration of a new MPA covering more than 1.9 million square miles, making it the largest in the world. Portions are designated as no-take zones, with an additional half a million square miles pending designation by mid-2026.
2. Indigenous-led Melanesian Ocean Reserve: A regional MPA model involving Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia, jointly managing an area nearly the size of the Amazon Rainforest.

These MPAs serve as geopolitical signals, ecological lifelines, and economic tools. However, effective enforcement is essential to realize their benefits, including biodiversity recovery, food security, and climate mitigation.

Global Governance Shift and Binding Laws: The High Seas Treaty

The conference underscored progress on the High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction – BBNJ), a legally binding framework for ocean governance in international waters, which constitute two-thirds of the ocean surface. Key points include:

• 49 of the 60 ratifications required for the treaty to enter into force have been achieved.
• The treaty will enable the creation of MPAs in international waters, regulate marine genetic resource access, scientific research, and environmental impact assessments.
• It represents a milestone in international cooperation to advance SDG 14.

Flashpoints: Deep-Sea Mining and Plastic Pollution

Two critical issues dominated debates, impacting SDG 14 and related goals:

• Deep-Sea Mining: A coalition of 37 nations called for a global moratorium due to ecological risks. Contrarily, the United States has authorized accelerated seabed mining permits, opposing the precautionary approach favored globally.
• Plastic Pollution: Over 90 countries recommitted to finalizing a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty aimed at reducing plastic production and promoting circular economies. The United States remains an observer, limiting its engagement.

Financing the Blue Frontier

Financing ocean sustainability is vital for achieving SDG 14:

• The conference secured approximately €10 billion in pledges from institutions including the European Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Latin America’s CAF.
• Private investment in ocean protection remains low due to unclear regulations and enforcement challenges.
• The United States, with its financial expertise, has a critical role in developing innovative financing mechanisms such as blue bonds, reef insurance, carbon-linked credits, and public-private partnerships to scale ocean investments.

America’s Crossroads and Subnational Momentum

The United States faces strategic decisions impacting its leadership in ocean sustainability:

• Federal rollbacks on marine monument protections and expansion of fishing and exploration threaten conservation progress.
• Scientific institutions like NOAA, MBARI, and Scripps Oceanography remain global leaders in ocean research.
• States and territories such as California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico can advance regional MPAs through coastal zoning, blue carbon initiatives, and partnerships with Indigenous and local communities.
• Alignment of federal policies with global standards and increased funding for enforcement are essential.

Marine Protected Areas as Pillars of Sustainability

MPAs contribute significantly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals by:

• Protecting biodiversity hotspots critical for pharmaceutical and biotech innovation.
• Supporting fisheries-dependent economies and stabilizing fish stocks through spillover effects, increasing catches by up to 25%.
• Functioning as natural climate infrastructure that buffers coastlines against storms, sea level rise, and erosion.
• Boosting ecotourism and scientific research, thereby fostering sustainable economic development.

Examples from Palau and Belize demonstrate that MPAs can generate equitable and sustained income streams, reinforcing the integration of conservation and commerce.

From Global Promise to National Action

The conference marked a turning point by emphasizing measurable, enforceable, and equitable ocean protection. The realization of these goals depends on converting commitments into action, particularly by the United States through:

• Ratifying international treaties such as the High Seas Treaty.
• Reversing policies that undermine marine conservation.
• Aligning investments with sustainable ocean management.
• Empowering coastal communities to participate in ocean stewardship.

A Call to Conscience

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference delivered bold commitments aligned with SDG 14; however, success requires sustained funding, enforcement, political will, and inclusiveness. The global community is prepared to advance ocean protection, but leadership from the United States is critical to support and empower collective efforts toward a sustainable blue economy.

About the Author

Dr. Isa Olalekan Elegbede (PhD) is a US-based marine environmental scientist and ocean sustainability advocate with over a decade of international experience in deep-sea governance, environmental sustainability, and blue economy development. He is recognized globally for his expertise in marine biodiversity protection and ethical ocean resource use.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article centers on ocean conservation, marine protected areas (MPAs), biodiversity, and sustainable use of ocean resources, directly relating to SDG 14.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The discussion on plastic pollution and the Global Plastics Treaty relates to reducing waste and promoting sustainable consumption.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • MPAs contribute to climate resilience and carbon storage, linking ocean protection to climate mitigation and adaptation.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights international cooperation, treaties, and financing mechanisms essential for ocean sustainability.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 14 Targets
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • Target 14.5: Conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas through effectively managed MPAs.
   • Target 14.6: Prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing.
   • Target 14.7: Increase economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from sustainable use of marine resources.
2. SDG 12 Targets
   • Target 12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes, including plastics.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
3. SDG 13 Targets
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
4. SDG 17 Targets
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.
   • Target 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 14 Indicators
   • Percentage of marine areas protected (e.g., the article mentions only 8% of oceans are under some protection, 3% fully safeguarded).
   • Number of ratifications of the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) as a measure of legal governance progress.
   • Fish biomass and biodiversity recovery within MPAs as indicators of ecological effectiveness.
   • Carbon storage in seabed sediments linked to MPAs as a climate-related indicator.
2. SDG 12 Indicators
   • Progress towards a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty to reduce plastic pollution.
   • Reduction in plastic waste entering oceans (e.g., 11 million metric tons annually mentioned).
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Inclusion of MPA metrics in national climate strategies to measure integration of ocean protection and climate action.
   • Resilience of coastal communities to climate impacts, supported by MPAs.
4. SDG 17 Indicators
   • Amount of financial pledges and investments secured for ocean protection (€10 billion pledged).
   • Number and scale of international partnerships and agreements (e.g., cooperation among Melanesian countries for MPAs).
   • Development and deployment of blue finance instruments such as blue bonds and reef insurance programs.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine ecosystems 14.5: Conserve at least 10% of marine areas through MPAs 14.6: Prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies 14.7: Increase economic benefits from marine resources	% of marine areas protected (8% protected, 3% fully safeguarded) Number of ratifications of High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) Fish biomass and biodiversity recovery in MPAs Carbon storage in seabed sediments
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.4: Environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation	Progress on Global Plastics Treaty adoption Reduction in plastic waste entering oceans (11 million metric tons annually)
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience to climate hazards 13.2: Integrate climate measures into policies	Inclusion of MPA metrics in national climate strategies Resilience of coastal communities supported by MPAs
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.16: Enhance global partnership for sustainable development 17.17: Promote effective public, private, and civil society partnerships 17.3: Mobilize additional financial resources	Financial pledges for ocean protection (€10 billion) Number of international MPA partnerships (e.g., Melanesian Ocean Reserve) Development of blue finance instruments (blue bonds, reef insurance)

Source: nationalinterest.org