Global ocean action: 7 reflections from international ocean summits

Global attention turned to the ocean earlier this month as scientists, policymakers, and advocates gathered in Nice, France for the One Ocean Science Congress and 2025 U.N. Ocean Conference.

At the science congress, more than 2,000 scientists issued recommendations for global ocean policy. At the U.N. Ocean Conference, co-hosted by Costa Rica and France, countries convened to assess progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14, an international target focused on conserving and sustainably using the ocean and marine resources. The conference focused on expanding marine protections, scaling ocean-based climate solutions, and improving the sustainability and resilience of aquatic food systems to support nutrition and livelihoods. 

The conference brought a wave of new commitments, including the designation of over 20 new marine protected areas and a call by 96 countries for a global target to cut plastic production and consumption. Countries also reported progress on the High Seas Treaty, with 50 ratifications now secured, just 10 short of the threshold needed for the agreement to enter into force. The conference culminated in the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, which includes a political declaration titled “Our ocean, our future: united for urgent action,” and with more than 800 voluntary commitments to advance equitable, science-based ocean action. 

We asked scholars from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability who participated in the events to share their reflections. Here are some of their perspectives.

The U.N. Ocean Conference was a packed and energizing week, and a powerful reminder of just how interconnected ocean issues are. While advocates and governments brought a wide range of priorities across plenary sessions and side events, there was also alignment on the need for urgent and inclusive solutions. I was especially encouraged by the growing attention to aquatic food systems in several of the events we engaged with. The conversations reflected the important intersections among aquatic foods, nutrition, livelihoods, and climate resilience. – Laura Anderson, Engagement Project Manager, Center for Ocean Solutions

At the One Ocean Science Congress, I was struck by the exciting diversity of speakers representing our shared ocean from around the world. The range of perspectives was refreshing, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary, solutions-oriented research and action. While the conference title might suggest an emphasis on natural sciences, many presentations addressed social science, governance, and equity as central to ocean sustainability. These themes echoed ideas I explored in a 2022 piece titled “One Ocean,” which also introduced the Spilhaus Projection—a visual reminder of our interconnected seas. - Larry Crowder, Edward Ricketts Provostial Professor in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and School of Humanities and Sciences 

Participating in both the One Ocean Science Congress and the U.N. Ocean Conference offered me a lens into how top scientific priorities are identified and transformed into real-world solutions at global, national, and local scales. A key takeaway was that effective and just solutions emerge from collaboration among scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and frontline communities – from setting priorities to designing and implementing initiatives. I was especially grateful to co-moderate a conversation with early career ocean professionals from all over the world, highlighting how trust, communication, and co-creation are essential for actionable science that leads to meaningful impact. – Daviana Berkowitz-Sklar, PhD student, Oceans Department 

It was encouraging to see so much interest in considering local and traditional knowledge in ocean science at the One Ocean Science Congress. One session was so full, I had to wait outside as there wasn’t even standing room. This kind of transdisciplinary approach, which takes into account diverse sources of knowledge, is essential as we face growing challenges to preserve the aquatic commons and ensure benefits are shared fairly. – Nicole Franz, Research Scholar, Center for Ocean Solutions

The U.N. Ocean Conference provided me a grand opportunity to combine the worlds of ocean science and public policy in a way I’d yet to experience. On many occasions, I found myself beaming with pride seeing so many people gathered in one place solely to discuss the conservation and management of our oceans. While there’s still a long way to go, I was constantly inspired and comforted to hear the passionate remarks of world leaders and early career professionals alike defending the improved treatment of this sacred environment through initiatives like the High Seas Treaty and the Global Coalition to Halt the Extinction of Sharks and Rays. – Sydney Hampton, PhD student, Oceans Department

Attending the U.N. Ocean Conference as a law student and Sustainable Ocean Alliance Ocean Leaders Fellow reaffirmed my commitment to advocating for stronger legal protections for our ocean, especially as the landmark High Seas Treaty approaches ratification. Engaging with global policymakers on establishing robust marine protected areas, the importance of blue foods, and emerging industries like deep-sea mining and marine carbon dioxide removal consistently reminded me of the critical role that law, science, and policy play in shaping ocean governance. More importantly, these discussions reinforced the vital role of youth and local communities in leading solutions, underscoring that collective action and inclusive decision-making are key to safeguarding our ocean for generations to come. – Nicolas Lama, JD/MS student, Law School and Doerr School of Sustainability

Throughout the week, themes of innovation, inclusion, and the ocean’s central role in food security, health, and the economy resonated across the sessions. It is clear that achieving ocean health and sustainability requires diverse knowledge, the inclusion of women and youth, and community-led solutions. – Fiorenza Micheli, David and Lucile Packard Professor of Marine Science, co-director of the Center for Ocean Solutions, and chair, Oceans Department

Crowder is a professor of oceans in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and of biology in the School of Humanities and Sciences, a member of Stanford Bio-X. Crowder and Micheli are also senior fellows at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Micheli is a professor of oceans and (by courtesy) of biology.