By Anjali D. Boyd, Marine Biologist and Future Rising Fellow, US
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of joining leaders in ocean conservation in Incheon, Republic of Korea for the High-Level Retreat on Investing in Ocean Solutions. The room was filled with an impressive mix of United Nations (UN) representatives, government officials, scientists, and non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders - and me, frantically Googling UN acronyms throughout the sessions (who knew there were so many!).
What struck me most was the sheer number of international programs and initiatives - from Communities of Ocean Action (COAs) to various UN working groups and treaties - all working toward healthier oceans. The scale of coordination required is staggering. It gave me new appreciation for why progress can feel so painfully slow despite so much activity.
A recurring theme throughout the retreat was the urgent need to break down silos and work more collaboratively. This was particularly evident in discussions about financing ocean solutions. Speakers emphasized the need to dramatically scale up funding mechanisms and create innovative financial tools to meet our conservation goals - especially the ambitious 30x30 target to protect at least 30% of the Earth's land and ocean areas by the year 2030.
I had the opportunity to speak on these themes during the "Dialogue with Stakeholders - Voices for Action" panel, where I joined representatives from coastal communities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to discuss barriers and opportunities in implementing ocean-based solutions. My presentation focused on the critical role of private sector engagement in scaling solutions - a message that, as a scientist myself, I thought might face some skepticism. However, the discussions revealed a growing recognition that we cannot achieve our ocean sustainability goals without meaningful private-sector engagement.
Looking ahead to UNOC3, there's clear momentum building around several priorities, including:
Ratifying the High Seas Treaty to close regulatory gaps in ocean conservation;
Advancing the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to curb harmful fisheries subsidies;
Completing negotiations for the plastic pollution treaty to regulate plastic’s production, consumption, and management throughout its lifecycle.
The retreat's closing discussions emphasized the need for a stronger focus on coral reef protection, creating detailed maps of the ocean floor, and developing financial tools necessary to reach our 30x30 goals.
The discussions in Incheon reinforced that we're at a critical moment for ocean action. With UNOC3 approaching, we have a unique opportunity to reimagine how we work together across sectors to achieve our ocean sustainability goals. The path forward requires not just commitment, but a fundamental shift in how we approach collaboration and scale solutions.
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