UN Ocean Conference 2025: Private Sector Rising for Ocean Sustainability

UN Ocean Conference 2025: Private Sector Rising for Ocean Sustainability

(Content adapted from the official United Nations Global Compact website)

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by Costa Rica and France in Nice, marked a key moment in advancing global efforts toward ocean sustainability. Governments, businesses, and stakeholders from around the world gathered to address pressing challenges like biodiversity loss, overfishing, plastic pollution, and the decarbonization of ocean industries.

A Major Milestone: Launch of the Ocean Investment Protocol

One of the most notable outcomes was the launch of the Ocean Investment Protocol, developed through a partnership between the UN Global Compact and the UNEP Finance Initiative.

This innovative framework offers clear guidelines for financial institutions, insurers, ocean industries, and governments to boost private investment in building a Sustainable Ocean Economy.

The Protocol focuses on:

• Decarbonizing global shipping
• Expanding offshore renewable energy
• Promoting sustainable seafood and coastal infrastructure
• Improving ocean literacy and data access

It aims to align financial flows with climate resilience, food security, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to European Investment Bank Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle, the Protocol offers "clarity and guidance needed to align private investments with the Sustainable Development Goals," ensuring that economic growth supports both the environment and social inclusion.

Business Action: Connecting Land and Sea

Another key announcement was the Business Call to Action: Land and Sea, unveiled at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum. This declaration calls on businesses to take responsibility for ocean health and urges policymakers to implement ambitious, science-based policies that jointly address land and ocean sustainability for global resilience.

🔑 Highlights from the UN Global Compact’s Participation at UNOC3

Some of the key dialogues and forums included:

• Ocean Evening – Emphasizing global partnerships for a sustainable ocean transition.
• Ocean Investment Protocol Launch – Offering investment guidance for the blue economy.
• From Nice to Belém: Road to COP30 – Linking ocean action to climate strategies.
• Oceans20 Policy Dialogue – Fostering multilateral collaboration on ocean policies.
• Ocean Data for Action – Highlighting the need for open marine data access.
• Engineering for Ocean Sustainability – Showcasing science-led infrastructure solutions.
• Navigating Arctic Futures – Addressing climate impacts in Arctic marine ecosystems.
• Ocean Centres Launch – Creating regional hubs to support sustainable ocean industries.
• Blue Value, Shared Future Forum – Spotlighting Mediterranean business innovations in the blue economy.

🌱 Why This Matters for Business

For businesses, investors, and policymakers, the message is clear:
Private sector leadership is critical to achieving a healthy and productive ocean.

With tools like the Ocean Investment Protocol and new regional Ocean Centres, companies now have actionable frameworks to align growth with sustainability, climate goals, and social impact.

As global attention turns to COP30 in Belém, the G20 Summit in South Africa, and the ongoing 2030 Agenda, the momentum from Nice sets a strong foundation for future action.

Source: United Nations Global Compact Official Website