Key points
Entry into force of the treaty on the high seasâeuros¯: the major announcement of the summit was the confirmation that the international treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in international waters ("High Seas Treaty" or BBNJ Agreement) will enter into force on January 1, 2026. This treaty will notably enable the creation of marine protected areas beyond national jurisdictions, a crucial issue for global ocean governance.
Ratification accelerationâeuros¯: under the impetus of the summit, more than 50 states have already ratified the treaty, and a further 15 have pledged to do so soon, accelerating the international momentum to protect the oceans.
Extension of marine protected areasâeuros¯: several countries, including France, Brazil and Greece, announced the creation or extension of marine protected areas. After the summit, the proportion of marine protected areas in the worldâ??s exclusive economic zones should rise from around 8âeuros¯% to 12âeuros¯%, an increase of 50âeuros¯%.
Voluntary commitments and limitsâeuros¯: the summit is not a COP and does not produce binding decisions, but serves as a platform for stocktaking and voluntary commitments. Nevertheless, some observers point to the lack of accountability mechanisms and insufficient measures in view of the seriousness of the threats to the ocean (pollution, overfishing, seabed mining).
Political and social mobilizationâeuros¯: Emmanuel Macron stressed that "there has never been such a mobilization on the ocean", calling the summit "historic" and "the summit of the last chance" in the face of the climate emergency and the disappearance of island territories threatened by rising sea levels.
The Nice 2025 summit will be remembered as a high point in ocean diplomacy, with the forthcoming entry into force of the treaty on the high seas, a significant increase in the number of marine protected areas, and unprecedented political mobilization. However, real success will depend on the follow-up to commitments and the ability to translate these announcements into concrete, verifiable action to safeguard the oceans.
