What really is a UN Ocean Summit?

National Observer

21 hours ago

From June 9 to the 13, I joined the official Canadian delegation in Nice, France, at the third United Nations Ocean Summit. I was likely the youngest person at UNOC3, not just on Canada's delegation, but in the entire diplomatic zone.
At 16, I wasn't attending as a guest or observer — and it was clear: there were no people under 20 anywhere in the room, even from NGOs. We need more young delegates at these summits, not for symbolic reasons, but because our generation will live with the consequences of these decisions. Youth engagement shouldn't be treated as a checkbox. It should be the natural result of aligning experience, interest and readiness — even if that person happens to be 16.
This high-level gathering brought countries, institutions and advocates together to confront the growing threats facing our oceans — from overfishing and pollution to legal gaps in international waters, as well as our blue economy. Some of the major issues on the table this year included the Plastics Treaty, the BBNJ Agreement (better known as the High Seas Treaty), and global momentum for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The Plastics Treaty would be the first binding global agreement to limit plastic pollution across the lifecycle of production and waste. The High Seas Treaty, adopted by the UN last year, aims to protect marine life in international waters. Meanwhile, organizations like Ocean Wise, Oceans North, and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition called forcefully for an end to deep-sea mining before it accelerates unchecked. Despite the urgency, the practice remains unbanned in Canada.
Canada came to the table with a number of meaningful commitments. We've pledged to protect 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030, support the High Seas Treaty, and remain active in treaty negotiations on plastic. But we are still falling short. Canada has not yet fully ratified key international frameworks, and implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) remains uneven across provinces and territories. These global goals can't remain symbolic — they need institutional follow-through.
The conference was filled with research briefings, diplomatic receptions and panels — but some of the most important discussions came from Indigenous voices and frontline coastal communities. There was an easily hard truth uncovered in some of the more 'down to earth' conversations: we know more about outer space than the depths of our oceans. Yet, decisions are being made today that will define how these ecosystems survive — or collapse.
Small island developing states like Mauritius and others in the Pacific are facing the harshest impacts of rising sea levels, acidification, and marine degradation — despite contributing the least to global emissions or ocean pollution. It was deeply frustrating to see China send only a small delegation, and even more troubling that the United States didn't show up at all. If major emitters don't attend international forums meant to address the damage they are most responsible for, what message does that send?
In 2025, we will live with more plastic in the ocean than at any other point in history, record-breaking CO₂ levels, and the highest number of climate-displaced people ever recorded. Yet in many rooms, the economy still takes precedence over urgent climate action. Canada deserves credit for showing up — but we must also lead.
We know more about outer space than the depths of our oceans, writes Jaden Braves
This includes accelerating ratification of key ocean frameworks and ensuring real domestic implementation of our global commitments such as the commitment to the moratorium on deepsea mining, as well as meeting all of SDG14. It's nice to see a new government hoping to become the strongest economy in the G7, something I think is highly achievable. But we must not forget that global warming hasn't gotten any better and if our focus isn't on the planet, we may not have one.
What wasn't discussed nearly enough in Nice is the intersection between climate and security. While perhaps more of a focus for the NATO summit this week, we cannot ignore how melting ice in the Arctic compromises Canada's northern sovereignty. Russian and Chinese radar systems have already appeared near our coastline. The geopolitical dimensions of ocean protection are real — and increasingly urgent. Ice is a natural conduit to security and it must be regarded as such. Hopefully, reversing climate change in Canada could be part of our new two per cent (and growing) GDP spending towards defence. After all, you are literally defending your country by having a natural border, (the icy Arctic).
On June 12, I had the honour of hosting a press conference to announce that Young Politicians of Canada (YPC), the organization I founded, is partnering with the United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC) to launch a Sustainable Development Goal Council. This council, led by UNAC, will work toward implementing the SDGs — not just federally, but across all levels of government. It positions Canada as one of the few countries with a youth-led, policy-focused mechanism to advance SDG accountability and uptake across sectors. It's a big step — and one I'm proud to help lead as a co-chair beside my friend and colleague at UNAC, Dheeksha Reddy.
There's something mildly absurd about flying thousands of people to the French Riviera to discuss environmental protection without involving the generation most affected by the outcomes. But if we're going to do this — and we must — then the least we can do is ensure those who will live with the consequences have a seat at the table.