More than 2,600 commitments were made between 2014 and 2024 to protect marine life and fight ocean pollution. Of these, only 43 per cent have been completed. Around 38 per cent are still in progress and 18 per cent have not yet started, according to a report released by the World Resource Centre at the ‘Our Ocean Conference’ being held in Busan, South Korea.
The pace of action does not match the urgency of the threats oceans face from plastic waste and illegal fishing to coral bleaching and habitat loss, according to the authors of the report released on April 29, 2025.
‘Our Ocean Conference’ is a voluntary international platform that brings together countries, companies and civil societies to act for the oceans.
The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of the Earth are under pressure due to overfishing, pollution, and warming waters. Saving the world’s oceans needs big money, around $175 billion a year by 2030, according to experts.
This period is crucial for work towards meeting target 3 set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Also, countries are slowly ratifying the high seas treaty which hopes to protect biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions and its implementation too would require funds.
The report shows that despite rising pledges, marine biodiversity protection is being sidelined. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), essential for saving species, received just $6.7 billion compared to $86.6 billion for ocean climate projects.
Without strong protection, oceans could lose important ecosystems like coral reefs, sea grass meadows and mangroves.
Smaller countries and vulnerable regions are especially left behind. Small island developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs) made only 13 per cent and 7 per cent of the commitments respectively.Â
Indigenous people and local communities barely feature, making up just five per cent of the pledges.
Even where money has been promised, it not has always moved. About $25 billion in pledged funding remains unspent.Â
Rich regions like Europe and North America account for most of the commitments and completed actions while regions like the Indian Ocean and polar seas lag behind.
Still, the report points out to some successes. Over 1,000 commitments have been completed, unlocking $23.8 billion for marine work. Coastal conservation projects, sustainable fisheries and anti-pollution laws have seen real results in some areas.
But voluntary pledges alone are not enough. The report calls for stronger laws, better tracking of progress and greater inclusion of indigenous people and women in ocean governance.
A new tool launched at the conference by the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC for N&P) would address this to some extent. The organisation announced the Rapid Deployment Mechanism.Â
It is a grant system that will offer small, fast track grants of $25,000 to $50,000. The aim is to help developing countries take immediate steps in meeting the 30×30 target.
The mechanism will support actions like training on biodiversity governance and indigenous people, mapping areas for future protection, drafting conservation policies and holding workshops.
Ten countries will be funded in the first round, with plans to expand to 30 over 5 years.
Grants will be channelled through local non-profits working with national governments. A dedicated advisory group will guide funding decisions, with a focus on ecosystem and geographic balance.
While the grants are small, they are seen as seed funding, designed to unlock bigger investments and partnerships.
The Rapid Deployment Mechanism is part of a broader strategy to accelerate biodiversity action, alongside HAC’s matchmaking platform, which links countries to long term finance.
With just 8.4 per cent of the ocean and 17.6 per cent of land and inland waters currently protected, time is running out.
