The UN has published its third World Ocean Assessment, which offers the latest insights into the health of the ocean, the drivers behind the pressures facing it, interactions between them, and long‑term consequences of these changes. The Assessment analyzes the current framework for global and regional ocean governance and incorporates insights from relevant social science disciplines.

The report describes the ocean as the Earth’s largest and most interconnected ecosystem, covering more than 70% of its surface. Emphasizing the ocean’s key role in the Earth’s climate and in societies, economies, and the natural systems, the Assessment highlights the imperative for a healthy and resilient ocean.

The third World Ocean Assessment follows the first World Ocean Assessment, which created a global baseline on the state of the marine environment – and the second World Ocean Assessment, which identified emerging trends and developments across the marine environment. It tracks evolving trends and integrates new information to support policymaking.

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New in the third World Ocean Assessment is the enhanced focus on socioeconomic dimensions, including a stand-alone analysis of global and regional ocean governance. The report notes that the entry into force of the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) “demonstrates the global desire for the collective and equitable stewardship of the ocean.” This requires “robust and accessible knowledge of the ocean,” which the Assessment provides.

The Assessment offers detailed information on the main sectors of the ocean economy and on social issues, including the cross-cutting themes of: gender; equity; and Indigenous, traditional owner, and local community knowledge. The report draws on this diverse knowledge “to ensure that sustainable ocean stewardship benefits from the perspectives and experiences of all communities.”

In a foreword, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlights that the report’s findings reveal the need for “stronger multilateral cooperation, greater ambition and decisions grounded in the best available science.” He calls for translating this latest science and momentum generated by the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement into “decisive action for a healthy and resilient ocean.”

The Assessment is the result of collaborative efforts undertaken under the third cycle of the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, covering the period from 2021-2025. Produced by the Group of Experts who contributed in their personal capacity, the Assessment benefited from contributions from more than 600 scientists from all regions of the world.

Consistent with its mandate from Member States, and following the approach of previous Assessments, the third World Ocean Assessment is “policy‑relevant but not policy‑prescriptive.”

The report was launched on 8 June 2026. [Publication: Third World Ocean Assessment] [Publication Landing Page] [Online Report] [UN Press Release] [UN News Story]