Ghana Maritime Authority Participates In The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference

The Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, joined several thousands of participants at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, from 9th to 13th June 2025.

The Conference brought together over fifteen Thousand (15,000) participants, including about sixty (60) Heads of State and Government representatives, businesses and civil society to deliberate on global action for ocean conservation and sustainable maritime practices to protect ocean resources and ecosystems.

The Conference was under the theme: “Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.

The Conference focused on several key aspects of the maritime industry, emphasising the significance of sustainable practices including shipping, protection of the maritime environment, deep sea mining, blue economy and conservation of the marine biodiversity.

Discussions at the Conference revealed progress on the High Seas Treaty. There were 18 new ratifications, bringing the total ratifications to about fifty (50) with expectations to reach the 60-country threshold by September 2025.

Additionally, there were deliberations on the role of the maritime industry in addressing climate change and adopting strategies to mitigate climate change and the impact of shipping activities on marine life.

This will include sustainable shipping practices which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping, promoting energy-efficient technologies and transitioning to cleaner fuels.

The protection of the marine environment from Pollution was also examined in view of the challenge of marine litter, particularly plastics, along with other forms of pollution, resulting from shipping activities and ways to mitigate these impacts.

The concept of the blue economy was emphasised, promoting sustainable economic growth linked to the oceans, including tourism, renewable energy and fisheries.

On Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium, 37 countries are now supporting a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining.

However, with the upcoming negotiations at the International Seabed Authority in July 2025, countries are expected to advance further discussions there.

The need for ocean governance and policy was also highlighted to enable international cooperation and governance frameworks to address maritime issues collaboratively.

The Director-General and the Minster of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, also had a bilateral meeting with the Brazilian Foreign Minister, to discuss pertinent issues of interest to both countries, including developments at the International Seabed Authority.

The conference concluded with the Nice Ocean Action Plan, a framework combining political declarations and over 800 voluntary commitments from governments, scientists and civil society. The UNOC3 reinforced the urgency of protecting marine ecosystems, advancing sustainable maritime policies and mobilising global cooperation for ocean conservation.

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