UNSW experts help shape landmark global ocean commitments at 2025 Ocean Conference

During the event, more than 170 countries adopted a declaration committing to urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.  

Adopted at the conclusion of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, the declaration, titled ‘Our ocean, our future: united for urgent action’, calls for specific measures to mobilise finance for vulnerable nations, tackle marine pollution, expand marine protected areas and decarbonise maritime transport. Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the 2025 UN Ocean Conference centred on the theme ‘Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.’

Among those in attendance at the conference were UNSW representatives from the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP), an initiative hosted by UNSW’s Centre for Sustainable Development Reform (CSDR). Eliza Northrop, Philip James, Elizabeth Hollaway & Marianne Feoli Martinez who organised an event in the ‘Blue Zone’ discussing how ocean accounts can support the delivery of the 2030 Sustainable Ocean Economy, and, together with Costa Rica, led the development of the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030—a landmark framework designed to improve how nations measure and manage ocean health.

Nineteen nations signed the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts during the conference, including Australia, the UK, Mexico, Indonesia, Fiji and Canada, along with a number of international organisations. In doing so, they agreed to consider ocean account data in their planning, policies and monitoring, and to collaborate globally by sharing knowledge.

Co-Director of UNSW’s Centre for Sustainable Development Reform, Eliza Northrop, said the signatories to the Pledge had shifted from ambition to action. 

"This is a significant step forward,” Ms Northrop said.

“It represents the first time that a group of countries have committed, at such a high level, to advance Ocean Accounts and integrate them into ocean decision making.”

The CSDR team also supported a session with Costa Rica in the ‘Green Zone’ where GOAP experts and partners provided an introduction to ocean accounts and partner countries presented their work. CSDR Co-Director Dr Phil James also introduced ocean accounts at other UNOC events that were focused on sustainable finance, Sustainable Ocean Plans and the use of accounts for blue economy analysis.

“UNOC3 demonstrated that ocean accounts has moved from a niche technical endeavour to one with real policy buy in and political momentum,” said Dr James.

 “Never have ocean accounts been standing room only; they are now.”

Also in attendance were colleagues from the UNSW Faculty of Science, including Directors of the Kelp Forest Alliance—an initiative that connects people and organisations to enhance, protect, and restore precious kelp forests.

Kelp Forest Alliance Founder and Program Director Dr Aaron Eger said that  participating in the UN Ocean Conference was vital in continuing the global push to safeguard oceans and the people who depend on them.

“Through high level dialogues with country delegations and environmental NGOs, we are continuing to integrate kelp forests into these conversations and ensure that this vital ecosystem is represented in national and international policy,” said Aaron.

“We benefit from learning from successful conservation agendas for coral reefs and mangroves while also innovating new solutions specific to kelp, which are connected to so many parts of people’s lives, from fisheries to food to culture and recreation.”

Throughout the week, attendees participated in a series of Ocean Action Panels and plenary sessions, with other UNSW representatives involved in organising and moderating these events.

Associate Professor Prof Shane Keating from the UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics was on the organising committee for a side event endorsed by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), focused on enhancing the ship-based global observation network. In partnership with the commercial shipping industry, the ‘10,000 Ships for the Ocean’ initiative aims build the world's largest ocean observing system in partnership with the commercial shipping industry.

“Our vision is to increase the number of commercial ships gathering real-time marine weather and surface ocean data by 10 times over by 2035,” said Prof Keating.

“The data collected through the global observation network is essential for global weather forecasts, climate timeseries, water monitoring, and safety at sea. This effort will be our eyes and ears in the ocean, unlocking global benefits for operations, forecasting, early warnings and environmental stewardship for the next decade.”