Beyond the Blue Zone: Real talk from UNOC3

I just got back from the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in sunny Nice, in the Mediterranean, where I represented Reef-World’s vision for thriving, healthy coral reefs. Keep reading to learn more about the world's largest MPA, my chat with the prime minister of Samoa and the importance of diversity at conferences.

This historic meeting was a whirlwind of high-level commitments to ocean protection, insightful discussions on the state of our oceans and many great connections made to collaborate in the future. This conference has generated a lot of buzz because it was the most concentrated gathering of experts and policymakers for marine conservation, and we’re halfway through the Ocean Decade. So there were many commitments made to protect our ocean — some more impressive than others. It’s important to note that the many fruitful discussions at UNOC do not always lead to organisational commitments, but are equally impactful in growing people’s understanding of the work we and others do.

The Commitments

Here, I want to explore some of the most significant commitments made at UNOC3 and what they mean for the future of coral reef conservation.

1. BBNJ Treaty

Let’s start with the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty (BBNJ), which aims to protect marine life in the high seas and will lead to healthier ocean life. The progress of this treaty was particularly encouraging. Given the symbiotic nature of the world’s waters, thanks to marine migration from deep seas to the coast, healthier high seas will support reef resilience. We are now just 10 countries away from bringing this treaty into effect, and each new ratification brings us closer to the ocean protection our reefs desperately need.

2. Ocean Financing and Sustainable Blue Economy

The conference has mobilised significant public and private finance towards supporting a sustainable and regenerative blue economy, with a business call to action launched alongside UNOC3 to encourage sustainable ocean initiatives. This opens new pathways for expanding critical programmes like Green Fins, which relies on sustainable financing to support dive operators in reef protection. While we’re still far from the $175 billion needed annually to achieve SDG 14, these new funding mechanisms represent real opportunities for organisations like ours to scale our impact in reef communities worldwide. 

3. 30x30 Marine Protected Areas

French Polynesia have made impressive individual commitments in creating the world’s largest MPA (Marine Protected Area), 4.8 million square kilometres, that demonstrates what’s possible when nations prioritise ocean protection. For coral reefs, achieving the global 30x30 target means protecting critical breeding grounds, nursery areas and migration corridors that reefs depend on. The challenge now is ensuring that collective action matches this level of ambition in order to protect 30% of the world's ocean by 2030. 

4. Plastics Treaty

Another of the conference’s encouraging developments was the “Nice Wake-Up call”, signed by 96 countries, reaffirming their commitment to an ambitious global plastic treaty. For reef communities dealing with daily plastic pollution impacts, this renewed international unity gives real hope. After negotiations in Busan, Korea concluded without agreement in December 2024, seeing nearly 100 nations stand together demonstrates that the international community recognised that plastic pollution demands urgent, coordinated action. Negotiation will resume in Geneva in August this year.

Where Real Progress Happens

While the official commitments grabbed headlines, some of the most meaningful progress happened in the spaces between sessions. The corridors, coffee breaks and side events became spaces for collaboration, where practitioners like me could connect directly with policymakers and fellow conservationists. I took the opportunity after the panel sessions to catch key people to speak to understand more about their motivations and agendas.

This is where I had a conversation with Samoa’s Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, where she reframed the Pacific island nations as “Large Ocean States”, which reflects a shift in perspective as these communities aren’t just vulnerable to ocean changes, they’re leading the solutions.

The Leadership the Ocean Needs

One of the things that struck me most at UNOC3 was the inspirational leadership of the South Pacific communities in showcasing their commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable development. They are leading the way with ocean conservation and highlighting the importance of community-led initiatives, indigenous leadership and traditional knowledge. They understand something that many larger nations are still learning: that effective ocean protection requires a deep cultural connection to place, long-term thinking that spans generations and community-based approaches that make conservation sustainable.

For Reef-World, this reinforced our commitment to supporting local communities as the primary guardians of reef ecosystems. The most effective conservation happens when global policy supports local action.

The Gaps that Still Need Bridging

Despite the positive momentum, I couldn’t ignore some concerning gaps that could undermine future progress:

Diversity and Representation

The lack of diversity on many panels was disappointing and counterproductive — from heavily male-dominated panels to limited geographic representation. When we’re discussing the future of ecosystems that span every ocean, we need voices that reflect that global reality. The disconnect between government representatives and civil society priorities was particularly evident, limiting the collaborative potential of the conference.

For the next major gathering, ensuring broader representation isn’t just about equity — it’s about effectiveness.

The Urgency & the Lag

Overall, there’s a common understanding of the urgency to take action, but I feel there’s a lag in action — both politically and financially. While those in attendance showed a serious commitment to marine protection, this wasn’t always matched by the level of support needed to translate that commitment into real change. As we’ve seen with climate conferences before, understanding the problem and having the political will and resources to solve it are two very different things.

Moving Forward

UNOC3’s success as a meeting point for changemakers and experts in the marine protection community cannot be understated. This was a historic moment for the world as we continue to build momentum for the protection and enrichment of our ocean. Whilst the lack of diversity and representation at the summit was deeply disappointing, lessons have been learnt and we are one step closer to achieving monumental targets like the BBNJ.

Most importantly, UNOC3 reinforced that while global commitments are essential, the real work of reef conservation happens in local communities, with local knowledge, supported by sustainable funding and policy frameworks. The ocean doesn't wait for perfect conditions or complete consensus. Neither can we. With the right partnerships and continued emphasis on community-led solutions, we can build on the momentum from UNOC3 to create the thriving reef ecosystems our planet needs.

I took a break from the conference with Water Break SUP paddle boarding session