At the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, President Emmanuel Macron opened the summit with a sobering reality check: despite decades of environmental pledges, only 2.7% of the world’s oceans are effectively protected.

This powerful statement, backed by the latest ocean science data, was not just a wake-up call—it was a challenge to global leaders to turn promises into action. France, as co-host of the summit alongside Costa Rica, took center stage in calling for stronger international commitments and accountability in the fight to protect marine ecosystems.

The “30×30” Goal: Ambitious, Yet Distant

One of the key global conservation targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity is the “30×30” goal—to protect 30% of Earth’s land and marine areas by 2030.

Macron stressed that while more than 110 countries have endorsed this objective, implementation is lagging dangerously behind. “Declaring marine protected areas on paper is not enough if they lack management, funding, or enforcement,” he stated. “We must stop pretending and start acting.”

France urged the international community to move beyond symbolic designations and ensure that protected marine areas are:

• Scientifically designated
• Properly financed
• Actively monitored and enforced
• Inclusive of local and Indigenous communities

The French Vision: A Global Marine Compact

President Macron proposed the creation of a Global Compact for Ocean Protection, aimed at standardizing criteria for marine protected areas (MPAs), improving transparency in data reporting, and establishing financial mechanisms to support conservation in developing countries.

France also called on the European Union and wealthier nations to increase their ocean-related development assistance, particularly to countries in the Global South, such as those in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands.

This position reinforced France’s partnership with Costa Rica, a nation that has consistently demonstrated high-impact ocean leadership despite its small size and limited military or economic power.

France & Costa Rica: A Model of North-South Cooperation

The France–Costa Rica alliance at UNOC3 exemplified what meaningful international cooperation can look like. While France provided political weight and financing, Costa Rica brought proven models of marine management—such as the Golfo Dulce sanctuary, and marine co-management with coastal communities.

Their joint presence sent a message: protecting the oceans requires both ambition and humility, and solutions must emerge from across all continents and income levels.

The synergy between these two nations showed how policy innovation, diplomatic coordination, and citizen engagement can create tangible global momentum.

The Need for Real Protection, Not Just Paper Parks

The phrase “paper parks” refers to areas that are designated as protected in name only, with no effective oversight, enforcement, or ecological impact. According to research cited at the conference:

• More than 60% of declared marine protected areas worldwide lack basic enforcement.
• Some MPAs are used for industrial fishing or oil exploration, undermining their integrity.
• Developing nations often lack the financial and technical capacity to implement robust protection measures.

France’s call to action was accompanied by a commitment to increase funding, provide technical assistance, and invest in science-driven monitoring tools like satellite surveillance and AI-powered biodiversity mapping.

Time Is Running Out

President Macron concluded his address by highlighting the urgency:

“The ocean is warming, rising, acidifying, and losing oxygen. If we do not act now, we are condemning future generations to a planet we no longer recognize.”

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His words set the tone for the rest of the summit, urging nations to ratify the High Seas Treaty, implement the Nice Action Plan, and treat the ocean as a shared, living resource—not a limitless dumping ground.

Why This Matters for Conscious Travelers

At Green Circle Experience, we believe travelers have a role to play in this global effort. Choosing eco-certified tours, responsible lodging, and ocean-positive experiences supports the very values France and Costa Rica are advocating for on the world stage.

Every snorkeling trip that avoids reef damage, every beach cleanup you join, and every electric vehicle you rent contributes to a broader cultural shift toward ocean stewardship.

If only 2.7% of the ocean is truly protected today, then it’s up to all of us—governments, businesses, travelers, and communities—to make the next percentage point count.