at the UN Ocean Conference 2025


Author: Marianne Feoli

Ocean accounts represent a transformative approach to how we understand, govern, and protect marine ecosystems.

In a world that has recognised the ocean as essential to economic stability, food security, climate resilience, and cultural identity, it is time to fully account for the benefits it holds for people and the planet.

By combining environmental, economic, and social data into structured decision-making tools, ocean accounts provide the foundation for more sustainable ocean governance.

As we look ahead to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, there is a unique alignment of political leadership and strategic vision. The conference co-hosts—France and Costa Rica—are driving forward complementary and ambitious initiatives that could shape the future of global ocean action.

Costa Rica is leading a global coalition to promote ocean accounting through the Pledge to Develop Ocean Accounts by 2030. This voluntary commitment already includes over a dozen countries and organisations and will be officially launched at UNOC 3. It aims to strengthen national capacity for sustainable ocean management.

France is reinforcing this effort through its leadership of the 100% Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management, which calls on all coastal and ocean states to sustainably manage 100% of the ocean areas within their national jurisdiction. A key component of this initiative is the development of Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs). These emphasise the importance of robust, integrated data–found in ocean accounts–as the foundation for effective planning and resource management.

Together, these initiatives mark a shift from ambition to action—where measuring, valuing, and managing the ocean through integrated data becomes the global standard.

UNOC in June 2025 offers a vital opportunity to build on this momentum. It is not only a chance to advocate for the inclusion of ocean accounts in the conference's political declaration, but also a call for countries and institutions everywhere to engage, learn, and take meaningful action.

Now is the time to place ocean accounts at the heart of the global agenda.

Why Ocean Accounts are Essential

Ocean accounts offer a decisive shift in how we value, govern, and protect marine ecosystems. By integrating environmental, economic, and social data, they enable countries to embed the true value of the ocean into national decision-making—bridging the gap between science, policy, and finance. In a time of rapid change and rising pressure on coastal and marine systems, we can no longer afford decisions made in the dark.

This is not just about better data—it’s about transforming governance, enabling inclusive, climate-resilient ocean economies, and driving collective progress toward globally agreed frameworks such as the SDG 14 and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

The Ocean Accounts Pledge: Capturing the Momentum

Earlier this year Costa Rica convened over 25 countries and support organisations to launch the Pledge to Advance Ocean Accounts by 2030—a voluntary but powerful commitment to mainstream ocean accounting.

This event was a landmark step, it didn’t just showcase action—it catalysed it.

The Ocean Accounts Pledge reflects a shared ambition to advance the integration of ocean accounting into national decision-making, in alignment with national priorities, and backed by knowledge sharing. It is designed as an umbrella commitment that allows for flexible, nationally tailored engagement.

Benefits of Joining the Pledge

By joining, countries and institutions:

  • Position themselves at the forefront of global ocean governance, showcasing leadership in sustainable and data-driven marine policy.
  • Signal strong demand for ocean accounts, helping generate opportunities for investment, support, and partnership.
  • Align with key international frameworks, including SDG 14, the GBF, and the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
  • Access technical expertise and capacity-building resources to support implementation.
  • Unlock financial support and donor attention to accelerate national ocean accounting initiatives.
  • Participate in a global knowledge-sharing network, connecting with peers and leading experts.
  • Support national planning and delivery, including marine spatial planning, blue economy assessments, ecosystem restoration, and risk mitigation for ocean-dependent communities.
  • Drive measurable progress, converting commitments into on-the-ground impacts for nature and people.
UNOC 3 is an opportunity to maintain the momentum, by embedding ocean accounts into the conference’s official outcomes and into global best-practice.

Ocean accounts should no longer be perceived as a niche tool—they are at the core of sustainable ocean governance. They will be a critical tool in realising a future that supports communities, nature and a liveable climate.

We have a global coalition forming, a growing toolkit, and two UNOC co-hosts leading the charge. The invitation is there to become a signatory to the Pledge, to join Costa Rica and a growing list of countries who are putting ocean accounts to work.

Now is the moment to turn collective ambition into global transformation.