Highlights from the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3)
Faiths for UNOC3 participated in the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France in June, 2025. We are pleased to share key takeaways and highlights from faith engagement at this historic event.
Supported by Bloomberg Ocean Initiative and Oceans5, the campaign harnesses the moral authority, vast networks, and long-term commitment of faith communities to advance global marine conservation goals.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
At the beginning of UNOC3, out of the 60 ratifications needed to bring the Treaty into force, only 31 had been deposited. As of the end of the week, 18 more countries have announced their ratification, and we have now achieved 50 ratifications.
High Seas Treaty Ratifications
During UNOC3, 4 more countries have also announced that they are joining the call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium
We saw some strong announcements for the implementation of the 30x30, including through the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity project.
30x30 Commitments
However, we also note that human rights received limited attention at UNOC3.
We continue to advocate for a deeper recognition that ocean issues are human rights issues.
Faith leaders present the "Turning the Tide" multi-faith declaration to UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen during the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice.
HISTORIC FAITH ENGAGEMENT
For the first time at a UN Ocean Conference, a Faith House was established as a dedicated space where spiritual wisdom directly informed marine conservation, co-hosted by Heartfulness Institute and Faiths for UNOC3.
And on June 9, faith communities representing tens of millions globally launched the largest-ever multi-faith declaration for ocean protection, Turning the Tide: A Multi-faith Declaration for the Ocean.
More than 80 faith-based institutions and conservation groups—including Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs—have now signed this powerful call to action.
In a historic first, faith leaders formally presented the declaration to UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Inger Andersen and UN Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson, affirming our shared moral and spiritual commitment to protect our sacred ocean.
“People of all faiths are unified in their calls for urgent, transformative action to save our ocean, with human rights centered in all ocean governance and conservation.”
—UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen
Read the full declaration and view signatories here. You can still join the growing list of signatories by signing the declaration.