The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) commenced on September 9 in Nice, France, where French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 50 countries have completed the approval process for the High Seas Treaty, making its enactment a certainty. This treaty will be the first global agreement with legally binding obligations for the protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas.

During the conference, Macron pointed out that issues like plastic pollution and deep-sea mining remain unresolved, while the expansion of U.S. trade barriers casts a shadow over multilateral cooperation. Additionally, France faced criticism for failing to ban bottom trawling, indicating a lack of commitment in marine conservation.

Macron emphasized the significance of the High Seas Treaty, noting that two-thirds of the world's oceans are high seas, of which only 1% are currently protected. He also mentioned that the UN passed the BBNJ agreement in 2023, which requires at least 60 countries to complete domestic legal processes for the treaty to take effect.

He declared, "The High Seas Treaty is a done deal." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the current lack of marine conservation and urged nations to take action to protect biodiversity globally.

On the first day of the conference, civil groups conducted protests demanding the swift passage of the High Seas Treaty. Notably, renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson also participated and emphasized the importance of marine conservation.