The Third United Nations Ocean Conference concludes and releases the "Nice Ocean Action Plan"

On the 13th, the Third United Nations Ocean Conference jointly hosted by France and Costa Rica concluded in Nice, France. The conference released the "Nice Ocean Action Plan," demonstrating the global willingness to take urgent action to protect the common future of the blue planet. According to a United Nations press release, the plan consists of two parts, including a political declaration titled "Our Ocean, Our Future: Uniting for Conservation and Sustainable Use" and voluntary commitments made by countries and relevant entities. The globally endorsed political declaration calls for concrete measures to protect the ocean, such as expanding marine protected areas, decarbonizing the shipping industry, addressing ocean pollution, and mobilizing funds for vulnerable coastal and island areas. Another achievement of the conference is the further promotion of the conservation of marine biodiversity. In 2023, the United Nations will adopt the "Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," aiming to strengthen the protection of international waters' marine biodiversity. It was reported that during the conference, 19 countries ratified the agreement, bringing it one step closer to formal implementation.