As the curtains closed on the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, global momentum surged for ocean conservation and sustainable marine governance.
The high-level summit, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, brought together over 15,000 participants, including more than 60 Heads of State and Government, to chart the future of ocean protection.
Back in Nigeria, marine stakeholders have seized the opportunity to urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ratify the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty and enact stronger policies against overfishing, ocean pollution, and indiscriminate dumping along the nation’s coastline.
Held along France’s Mediterranean coast, UNOC3 was the third global ocean summit after similar gatherings in New York (2017) and Lisbon (2022).
It concluded with the Nice Ocean Action Plan, which includes a political declaration and over 800 voluntary commitments from governments, UN agencies, scientists, and civil society groups.
“We close this historic week not just with hope, but with concrete commitment, clear direction, and undeniable momentum,”— Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
Global Pledges Underscore Urgency
Notable commitments announced at the summit included:
The European Commission’s €1 billion pledge to support ocean conservation and sustainable fisheries
French Polynesia’s creation of the world’s largest marine protected area (5 million sq km)Germany’s €100 million initiative to remove underwater munitions in the North and Baltic Seas
New marine protected areas in SpainNew Zealand’s $52 million commitment to Pacific ocean governance
A High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean, led by Panama and Canada
Indonesia’s launch of a “Coral Bond” with the World Bank for reef conservation
While many hailed the summit’s outcomes, the absence of a senior US delegation and President Donald Trump’s executive order backing deep-sea mining drew criticism.
French President Emmanuel Macron responded bluntly: “The abyss is not for sale.”
Nigeria’s Ocean Stakeholders Rally in Lagos
In Lagos, the International Ocean Institute – Nigeria Centre (IOI-Nigeria), in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), held a stakeholders’ forum to commemorate World Ocean Day 2025 and echo the global call for marine action.
With the theme “Wonders: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” the forum spotlighted Nigeria’s strategic role in global marine governance.
“Our oceans are choking on plastic. From blocked urban drains to devastated marine life, the evidence is all around us,”— Akanbi Williams, Director, IOI-Nigeria
Williams emphasized that protecting Nigeria’s oceans is vital for food security, economic resilience, climate stability, and public health.
He urged the government to act decisively, calling the current moment “a test of leadership and responsibility.”
BBNJ Treaty: Nigeria’s Window of Opportunity
A major highlight of the forum was a public lecture titled “Wonders Without Borders: Sustaining the Ocean Through Global Agreements,” which focused on the BBNJ Treaty’s implications for Nigeria.
Professor Babajide Alo, a leading ocean governance expert and Nigeria’s former lead negotiator during the treaty talks, stressed the country’s pivotal role.
“The leadership in Nigeria has recognized the value of the BBNJ Treaty. Relevant ministries are now working to ratify it before the end of 2025,”— Prof. Babajide Alo
Prof. Alo explained that the BBNJ Treaty, adopted in June 2023 after two decades of negotiations, seeks to govern marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction — which cover nearly 70% of the Earth’s surface.
The treaty’s four key pillars are:
1. Access and benefit-sharing of marine genetic resources
2. Area-based management tools, including marine protected areas
3. Environmental impact assessments
4. Capacity-building and technology transfer
“For too long, international waters have been dominated by powerful nations and corporations. The BBNJ Treaty gives countries like Nigeria the chance to protect and benefit from global marine resources,” Alo stated.
Call for Immediate Action
Representatives from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Navy, Fisheries Society of Nigeria, and Federal Ministry of Environment joined in calling for the ratification of the BBNJ Treaty and enforcement of maritime laws, particularly regarding waste disposal and ocean pollution.
Participants also urged:Public awareness campaigns on ocean sustainability
Increased funding for ocean research institutionsInclusive policy dialogue with coastal communities and youth
As of the end of the Nice summit, 50 countries have ratified the BBNJ Treaty — just 10 short of the 60 required for it to come into force.
A Tide of Hope — Nigeria’s Next Move
Stakeholders agree: Nigeria must not be left behind as the world enters a new era of ocean governance. From Nice to Lagos, the message is unified — ratifying the BBNJ Treaty will not only secure Nigeria’s ocean resources but also elevate the country’s standing in global marine leadership.
“The ocean is more than water — it is life, livelihood, and our shared future,” one participant concluded.“Nigeria must ride this wave — and not be swept away by inaction.”
Reporting by Innocent Onoh