Context:

• The growing environmental, economic, and governance challenges facing the world's oceans, emphasizing the urgent need for multilateral action to protect marine ecosystems.
• India's blue economy aspirations, the upcoming UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), and global efforts like the BBNJ agreement (also known as the High Seas Treaty under the UN Convention) aims to ensure sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources.

Significance of the Oceans:

• Ocean - A global commons: Oceans feed, protect, and sustain human life. They are crucial for trade, sustainable energy, scientific knowledge, and livelihoods.
• India’s oceanic legacy:
  • India has a 7,517 km long coastline, impacting daily life, economy, and environment.
  • The Indian government’s Vision 2030 highlights the blue economy as one of the 10 core dimensions of growth.

Challenges Facing the Oceans:

• Environmental and economic threats:
  • Pollution: Over 8 million tons of plastic enter oceans annually (Science journal).
  • Overfishing: Over one-third of fish stocks are overfished.
  • Climate change effects: Ocean acidification, rising sea levels, marine ecosystem destruction.
• Governance and funding gaps:
  • Lack of global governance: No binding international law for vast areas, particularly the high seas.
  • Inadequate funding: Insufficient financial support for ocean preservation and sustainable use.

UNOC3 - A Historic Opportunity 10 Years After Paris Agreement (COP21):

• Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3):
  • Host: To be held from June 9–13, 2025, in Nice (France), and will be co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.
  • Participants: Around 100 heads of states, thousands of scientists, researchers, activists.
• Objectives: Operational and action-oriented discussions on focus areas:
  • Governance
  • Financing
  • Knowledge enhancement
• Nice ocean agreements: Like the Paris agreement (which established a binding global framework to limit climate change), it can form an International Pact aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

BBNJ Agreement - Marine Biodiversity Protection:

• Full form: Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
• Need for ratification: Requires 60 countries to ratify for enforcement.
• Purpose:
  • Governance of high seas (>60% of ocean).
  • Combat hydrocarbon pollution, illegal fishing, endangered species capture.

Critical Actions for Ocean Protection:

• Financing the sustainable blue economy:
  • Public-private partnership (PPP) investments required.
  • Ensure marine resource regeneration for continued economic benefits.
• Enhancing ocean knowledge:
  • Current gap: We know more about the Moon and Mars than our own oceans.
  • Need:
    • Mobilizing science, innovation, education.
    • Greater public awareness and scientific exploration.

India's Role and Initiatives:

• Festival of ideas - "Not in My Ocean":
  • Organised by: It will be organised by France across India (Delhi, Chennai, Puducherry, Goa).
  • Activities: Exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, expert discussions.
• Blue talks:
  • Collaboration: Ministry of Earth Sciences, Embassy of Costa Rica, Indian institutions will hold “Blue Talks” in Delhi.
  • Purpose: Develop India's recommendations for UNOC3.

Conclusion - Oceans, A Universal Bond:

• Oceans are essential for climate resilience, food security, economic prosperity, and biodiversity.
• Collective multilateral action is crucial amidst challenges to multilateralism.
• UNOC3 represents a watershed moment for securing the future of oceans and humanity.