Imagine the ocean as the world’s breath. Every second breath we take comes from the sea, its waves moving with the rhythm of life itself. It’s not just a body of water — it’s a mother, a mirror, a memory.
Learn more about: Why the Ocean Matters
That’s why, every few years, the world gathers for something quietly monumental: the United Nations Ocean Conference. While it might not always make daily headlines, the decisions made there ripple outward — shaping coastlines, protecting biodiversity, and even reaching into our daily choices, like the products we buy and the seafood we eat.
Let’s take a deeper look at what the UN Ocean Conference is, what it tackles, and why its outcomes matter for us all.
In the Philippines, I surveyed a no-take reef so alive it felt like the ocean was breathing. Locals, some unpaid and struggling, protected it every day — because they saw it heal. It's proof that protection works. What if more communities had that support? What if more reefs had that chance?
What is the UN Ocean Conference?
First held in 2017, the UN Ocean Conference is a high-level global event dedicated to safeguarding the health of the ocean. It brings together governments, scientists, Indigenous leaders, youth activists, and environmental organizations to align on bold, science-based actions.
The conference directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
It leads to tangible commitments — from reducing marine pollution and expanding marine protected areas (MPAs), to supporting sustainable fisheries and boosting ocean-related economies. These aren't just symbolic pledges; they influence real-world laws, funding, and priorities that shape the future of our oceans.
As one delegate said in Lisbon in 2022:
"We speak for the coral, the kelp, and the coastline. We are not just planning policy — we are protecting poetry.”
Why a Healthy Ocean is Essential for Life on Earth
The ocean is the planet’s largest carbon sink, climate stabilizer, and oxygen generator. It regulates global weather patterns, absorbs heat and carbon dioxide, and produces more than half of the world’s oxygen.
It’s also home to most of Earth’s biodiversity — from the tiniest plankton to the largest blue whale — and provides food, livelihoods, medicine, and cultural identity for billions.
When the ocean thrives, life on land flourishes too. When it suffers — from warming, acidification, pollution, and overuse — we all feel the consequences.
Think of the ocean as a living canvas, painting life into existence with every current and tide. From coral reefs teeming with color to coastal mangroves buffering storms, it’s all interconnected.
What the Conference is Tackling — Key Topics and Why They Matter
1. Plastic Pollution
Every minute, a truckload of plastic enters the ocean. This pollution harms marine life, disrupts ecosystems, and even enters our food chain through microplastics. The conference works to accelerate global agreements and innovations aimed at:
- Banning harmful single-use plastics
- Creating circular economies and better recycling systems
- Promoting alternatives and extended producer responsibility
Why it matters: Plastic in the ocean isn't just ugly — it's toxic, deadly, and increasingly unavoidable.
2. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
MPAs are designated zones where human activity is limited to allow ecosystems to recover and biodiversity to thrive. The conference supports the global goal to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30).
- MPAs help rebuild fish populations
- Support coastal communities
- Protect vulnerable species and habitats
Why it matters: They are living proof that protection works — and local engagement is often the key to their success.
3. The Blue Economy
The blue economy focuses on the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health. This includes:
- Responsible tourism
- Seaweed farming and aquaculture
- Renewable ocean energy (like tidal or offshore wind)
- Small-scale fisheries
Why it matters: The ocean can support people and planet — if we invest in smart, ethical systems that regenerate rather than exploit.
4. Climate-Ocean Connection
The ocean absorbs over 90% of the heat generated by climate change and captures about a quarter of the CO₂ humans emit. But this comes at a cost: ocean warming, sea level rise, and acidification.
The conference explores how ocean-based solutions — such as blue carbon ecosystems (like seagrasses and mangroves) — can fight climate change while restoring biodiversity.
Why it matters: Solving the climate crisis means protecting the ocean — and vice versa.
5. Sustainable Fisheries and Coastal Livelihoods
Millions depend on the ocean for food and income. But overfishing and destructive practices threaten this vital source of nourishment. The conference promotes:
- Fisheries reform and science-based management
- Equity for small-scale and Indigenous fishers
- Fair market access and traceability
Why it matters: A healthy ocean must support the people who care for it.
Check our blog about overfishing and its consequences.
6. Ocean Science and Equity in Action
The conference also pushes for better funding and access to ocean science, especially for developing nations and marginalized communities. Knowledge-sharing and inclusive policy-making are crucial to ensure that ocean protection is both effective and fair.
Why it matters: No one should be left out of ocean solutions — especially those most affected.
How Global Decisions Shape Our Daily Lives
What happens at the UN Ocean Conference may feel far away, but it shows up in real life:
- Microbead bans in skincare products stemmed from global pressure following early UN resolutions.
- Sustainable seafood labeling emerged from global standards and transparency initiatives.
- Coastal resilience funding and reef restoration efforts often trace back to conference commitments.
The conference helps turn science into policy, and policy into protections — reaching from coral reefs to your kitchen shelf.
Why This Moment Matters
The ocean is at a crossroads. Pressures are mounting — but so is momentum. The 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France is expected to be a pivotal moment in aligning global commitments with urgent action.
It’s a story not just of crisis, but of courage and cooperation. A moment when collective leadership, creativity, and community could shape a more hopeful tide. It is a possibility.
How to Stay Informed and Involved
You don’t need to be a scientist or policymaker to make a difference. Start by staying curious and connected:
- Follow hashtags like #UNOceanConference, #OceanAction, or #BlueCOP
- Check Tides and Roots for easy-to-digest recaps and visual summaries
- Reflect or share: What’s one thing you can do — or talk about — this week for the ocean?
Conclusion
The ocean holds our histories, our futures, and our every second breath. By tuning into moments like the UN Ocean Conference, we don’t just learn about the sea — we learn about ourselves.
When we care, share, and act — we become part of the change.
The ocean affects us all — and so can our choices. Learn more, speak up, and be part of the tide!
