China and South Korea to Host the Fourth UN Ocean Conference in 2028

China and South Korea (Republic of Korea) will co-host the 4th edition of the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2028. This was announced at the conclusion of the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, on 13 June 2025. 

At the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, over 170 countries adopted a declaration calling for urgent steps to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.

Over 55 world leaders, scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives attended the 3rd United Nations Conference to discuss collective actions to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.  

Host of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference 

France and Costa Rica co-hosted the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, from June 9 to 13, 2025.

• Sweden and Fiji co-hosted the first United Nations Ocean Conference in 2017 in New York, the United States of America.
• Portugal and Kenya co-hosted the 2nd United Nations Ocean Conference in 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Theme of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference 

“Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean” was the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 theme.

The theme focused on realising Goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Goal 14 calls for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Who represented India at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference 2025?

The Union Minister of Earth Sciences (Independent Charge), Dr. Jitendra Singh, represented India.

BBNJ Agreement 

• He called for ratifying the  Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty.
• India signed the BBNJ agreement in September 2024, but has yet to ratify it. 
• According to the United Nations, at the end of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, 136 countries signed the treaty, and 50 countries and the European Union ratified it. 
• The treaty needs the ratification of at least 60 signatory countries to come into force.

SAHAV Portal

• Jitendra Singh also highlighted the launch of the SAHAV Portal as India's commitment towards ocean conservation. 
• SAHAV portal is a GIS (Geographic Information System)- based decision support system that empowers policymakers, researchers, and communities with real-time spatial data, enabling smarter planning and stronger marine resilience.

Other Important points of the Nice Conference 

The ‘Our Ocean, Our Future’ declaration was adopted at the end of the Nice conference.

Indonesia, the World Bank and other partners will launch ‘Coral Bond’ to mobilise private capital to conserve the coral reef ecosystem in Indonesia.

• Thirty-seven countries, led by Panama and Canada, launched the world's first  High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean to tackle ocean noise pollution globally.
• The European Union has committed to investing 1 billion euros to support ocean conservation, science and sustainable fishing. 

Also Read:

S. Jaishankar Signs BBNJ Agreement to Protect  Marine Biodiversity 

India hosts the 2nd Blue Talks ahead of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference 2025