From June 9 to 13, the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) took place in Nice. Sixty heads of state, numerous ministers, and hundreds of experts gathered to discuss ocean protection. Belgium was strongly represented and immediately set the tone by ratifying the important BBNJ agreement on the first day.
Our delegation was diverse, including representatives from the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, the Directorate-General for Shipping (FPS Mobility), the FPS Foreign Affairs, and the Marine Environment Department of the FPS Public Health.
The presence of two federal ministers highlighted Belgium’s commitment: Minister Annelies Verlinden (Justice and the North Sea) represented Belgium at the start of the week in various bilateral and public engagements, while Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Mobility, Climate, and Ecological Transition) presented Belgium’s national statement on behalf of our country at the end of the week.
Minister Crucke also led an important panel on the link between the ocean, climate, and biodiversity. He advocated for the integration of the ocean into national climate and biodiversity strategies and inspired participants to seek solutions that address climate change, biodiversity loss, and the degradation of ocean health simultaneously. Respect for human rights, innovative financing, and both traditional and scientific knowledge are central to this approach.
Belgium ratifies the BBNJ Agreement
A key moment for Belgium during UNOC3 was the official ratification of the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction), which enables legal protection of biodiversity in the high seas. On June 9, Minister Verlinden handed over the ratification instrument to the United Nations on behalf of Belgium.
In total, around twenty countries ratified the agreement during UNOC3, bringing the total number of ratifications to 50. There is significant pressure to reach the required minimum of 60 ratifications by the UN General Assembly in September, so the agreement can enter into force.
Belgium continues to advocate for ambitious implementation of the agreement. Together with VLIZ and the Institute of Natural Sciences, Belgium organized a well-attended event on the Clearing House Mechanism for BBNJ. Additionally, Belgium participated in the High Seas Alliance side event, "Celebrating High Seas Action," which focused on accelerating ratification and promoting ambitious implementation of the agreement.
Strong Belgian engagement on multiple fronts
Beyond the BBNJ, Belgium made important strides on other fronts. Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Belgium’s Special Envoy for Climate and Environment, represented the country during a ministerial meeting on plastic pollution, which resulted in a joint statement in preparation for the negotiations in Geneva in August.
Belgium also joined several international initiatives. We signed a declaration of intent with Mercator Ocean International, are participating in the test phase of the International Platform for Ocean Sustainability (IPOS), and became a member of the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean. Together with France, Belgium organized a well-attended information session on the impact of underwater noise.
The next UN Ocean Conference will take place in 2028 and will be co-hosted by Chile and South Korea.
