From France to the Republic of Korea: our commitment for the preservation of the Ocean.

Together in Seoul on 3 April 2026, Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Emmanuel Macron committed to building on the success of Nice for the protection and sustainable use of the Ocean, coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity, in both bilateral and multilateral formats, whilst acknowledging the critical role of the Ocean in the global response to climate change. The Republic of Korea and France reiterated their willingness to pursue efforts to increase the profile of maritime affairs and Ocean preservation on the international agenda, which is an indispensable condition for the preservation of life on Earth.

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Located on either side of the Eurasian continent, the Republic of Korea and France share unbreakable cultural, economic and political ties to the Ocean. Aware of the Ocean as a driving force for the prosperity of humanity and their two populations, they are united in their desire to conserve, use and preserve the Ocean and ensure the sustainable use of its resources.

France and Costa Rica joined forces to organise the Third United Nations Conference on the Ocean (UNOC3) in June 2025, in Nice. At a time when the Ocean in under considerable strain, this unprecedented summit brought together over 60 Heads of States and Government and 130,000 participants around ambitious action for the Ocean, resulting in the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan containing strong and concrete commitments for Ocean conservation. UNOC3 and its commitments for the Ocean squarely placed the spotlight on diverse maritime affairs, ranging from Ocean protection’s structural under-financing to the sustainable management of Ocean resources.

During the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in September 2025, it was decided that the Republic of Korea and Chile would have the honour of organising the Fourth United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC4) in 2028. As the last UN Ocean Conference before the 2030 deadline of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this will be a crucial moment to ensure continuity of political action and assess our collective capacity to preserve the integrity of the Ocean and the health of the world’s seas. The Republic of Korea and France will spare no effort to guarantee a high level of ambition towards 2028 and beyond, and underscore the importance of efficient, impact-driven multilateralism.

In order to reach SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and implement the 2030 Agenda, the Republic of Korea and France commit to maintaining global momentum in favour of Ocean protection in all international and regional fora. Their goal is to preserve the Ocean, whilst enabling the development of a fair, sustainable blue economy, based on respect for the Ocean and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.

I. Acknowledging the Ocean’s crucial role in climate change mitigation and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities

1. The Republic of Korea and France were among the first countries to ratify the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). The Republic of Korea and France express their satisfaction at the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement as of the 17th January 2026 and will engage constructively ahead of the First Conference of Parties. The Republic of Korea and France remain committed to increasing membership to this agreement with a view to extending it to all United Nations Member States.
2. The Republic of Korea and France renew their strong commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. They will contribute, through collective efforts, towards ensuring that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration in order to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, ecological integrity and connectivity.
3. The Republic of Korea and France reiterate the crucial role of marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in achieving this goal. The two countries reaffirm their active support to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC N&P) to translate the 30x30 target into concrete action. Aware that there are only four years left to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the two countries have published their updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAP), aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as their seventh national reports.
4. Seabeds contain rich, complex and vulnerable ecosystems that are essential for wider marine biodiversity. The Republic of Korea and France remain deeply committed to the protection of the marine environment in the Area in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Convinced of the need for robust international regulations under the International Seabed Authority, the Republic of Korea and France stand ready to engage constructively in relevant international fora.
5. In order to uphold international ambition on the protection of the Ocean, from its surface to its depths/seabed, the Republic of Korea and France will work together with other Parties to the BBNJ Agreement to strengthen Ocean governance in all relevant meetings.
6. Recognising that Sustainable Development Goal 14 remains the most underfunded of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Republic of Korea and France commit to pursuing the international efforts initiated at Nice, such as the Blue Economy and Finance Forum and the One Ocean Finance initiative, including through the mobilisation of domestic, international, public and private finance channels. The Republic of Korea and France will continue exchanging relevant information and best practices on financing Ocean preservation and funding for marine protected areas, in particular through relevant national development agencies.
7. Both countries commit to eliminate, phase out or reform incentives, including subsidies, harmful for biodiversity, starting with the most harmful incentives, and scale up positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as set out in the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
8. Taking into account that fishing is a crucial component of coastal communities’ economic livelihoods, the Republic of Korea and France recognise the need for global, sustainable and science-driven management of fishing. The Republic of Korea and France commit to preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and will continue to push for sustainable fishing practices in international and regional fora, notably within RFMOs, to ensure both sustainability and preservation of fish stocks and larger transparency in the sector. In this way, the Republic of Korea and France call for continued international discussions on the FAO Port State Measure Agreement and the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
9. Both countries are committed to preventing and reducing pollution, whether chemical, plastic, or of any other kind, and the associated risks to biodiversity. Both countries will pay particular attention to reducing the impact of this pollution on marine and coastal biodiversity.
10. As host countries of two negotiation sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, the Republic of Korea and France reaffirm their commitment to conclude a robust, ambitious, effective international legally-binding instrument to end plastic pollution, which overwhelmingly affects marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The Republic of Korea and France will continue to engage constructively to achieve an efficient and operational outcome that addresses the whole life-cycle of plastics, including design, production, consumption and end of life.

III. Scientific cooperation for Ocean preservation