As the global climate crisis deepens, Cambodia is preparing to join over 100 nations at the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica in Nice, France from June 9–13.

The summit comes at a time when ocean health is rapidly deteriorating — and international cooperation has never been more urgent.

In an open editorial published this week, Jacques Pellet, French ambassador to Cambodia, emphasised the critical role the ocean plays in global sustainability and called for tangible action at UNOC3.

He also commended Cambodia’s growing involvement in marine conservation and diplomacy.

“The ocean is our common good. It feeds and protects our peoples. It makes us dream and travel. It provides us with sustainable energy, trade, resources and infinite scientific knowledge,” he wrote.

One in three people relies on the ocean for their livelihood, yet it is danger, he said, warning of alarming trends.

“The figures are worrying: more than eight million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, according to a study published in the journal Science,” he said.

“Moreover, more than a third of fish stocks suffer overfishing, while ocean acidification, rising sea levels and the destruction of marine ecosystems gain pace, as direct consequences of climate change,” he continued.

He suggested that many of these crises are worsening due to climate change and insufficient governance.

An accumulation of plastic waste near homes on Koh Kong province's Koh Sdach island. F&FI

A turning point: What UNOC3 aims to deliver

The conference in Nice is expected to lead to the “Nice Ocean Agreements”, a proposed international pact to support conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14: Life Below Water.

Pellet highlighted three key priorities for the upcoming conference.

First, he stressed the need for better governance through the BBNJ Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which seeks to regulate the high seas — areas that cover over 60 per cent of the world’s oceans but currently lack legal protections.

These unregulated areas are vulnerable to illegal fishing, pollution and species exploitation.

Second, he called for increased public and private financing to develop a sustainable blue economy, promoting responsible investments in global trade, tourism, shipping and fisheries.

Finally, he emphasised the importance of expanding ocean knowledge, pointing out that we understand less about the ocean than we do about the Moon or Mars, and urged greater efforts in science, innovation and education to raise awareness and address ocean challenges.

Cambodia's growing engagement

Pellet praised Cambodia’s participation in ocean diplomacy, citing the “Blue Talks” held in Sihanoukville in July 2024, organised by the French Embassy and attended by Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth.

During the event, Sophalleth claimed that plastic use in Cambodia had decreased by 74.1 per cent  in the previous 11 months, crediting two nationwide campaigns.

“Looking at the statistics, Cambodia has reduced the use of plastic by 74.1 per cent in the past 11 months compared to last year,” he said, highlighting the “Today I Will Not Use Plastic” campaign, which engaged over 8 million people, and the “Cambodia Sa'at (Beautiful), Khmer Can Do” campaign, active in 600 communes.

 “About half of all plastic has the potential to harm the environment, falling into the sea or rivers, which is why we must continue decreasing its use,” he stressed.

“We know that dumping garbage at sea is a problem not only in Cambodia but all over the world... It is the common duty [of all countries] to conserve … oceans and marine resources for sustainable development,” he added, calling for international cooperation in addressing marine pollution and climate impacts.

Pellet welcomed the upcoming participation of Prime Minister Hun Manet at UNOC3, describing it as “a clear signal of Cambodia’s engagement in the global effort to preserve our oceans for future generations”.

He noted that Cambodia, with its rich marine biodiversity along the Gulf of Thailand, faces its own challenges — including coastal pollution, habitat degradation, and illegal fishing.

“Its attendance at UNOC3 shows alignment with global efforts to ensure that oceans remain healthy and productive for generations to come,” he added.

Shared responsibility, shared future

As the Ambassador explains, the ocean is not just a resource — it’s a universal bond. He warns that without urgent international action, the environmental and social consequences could be irreversible.

“We must act now. More than ever before, we must make sure that multilateral action is equal to the challenges of protecting the ocean,” he said.

For Cambodia, the summit offers a chance to bring local experience and regional perspectives to the global stage — and to join a collective push toward stronger, more just and more sustainable ocean governance.