Papua New Guinea has demonstrated bold leadership and renewed ambition for sustainable ocean governance on the world stage at the Third United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC3), underway this week in Nice, France. Prime Minister James Marape leads the PNG delegation to join 148 leaders – among them 49 Heads of State and Government, six Deputy Prime Ministers, 60 Ministers, nine Vice-Ministers and representatives from 28 international organizations, the private sector, civil society and academia. These leaders are united in driving urgent global action to protect the world’s oceans and marine resources and further foster sustainable development under global Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) on oceans and seas. The Conference on SDG 14 and its 10 targets, addresses key areas including sustainable fishing; support for small scale fishers; conservation of coastal and marine areas; reducing marine pollution; protecting and restoring marine ecosystems; reducing ocean acidification; and combating and ending subsidies that contribute to harmful fishing practices. It also expands efforts to increase the economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources for countries; fosters national, regional and global capacity building in scientific knowledge, marine research, and technology transfer for ocean health; and implements and enforces international law, including notably the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its subsidiary implementing agreements. The Conference, being held from 9 – 13 June, will cover plenary meetings for world leaders to share their views in a General Debate segment on the important ocean-related work being done to attain SDG14 as well as another segment that addresses 10 Ocean Action Panels focused on various thematic areas of importance to the ocean’s agenda. Prime Minister Marape, ahead of delivering Papua New Guinea’s national statement to the Conference on 9 June, stated upon his arrival in France that PNG as a large maritime and archipelagic nation with around 2.8 million square kilometers of maritime territory, and at the heart of the Coral Triangle, is home to 7 per cent of global biodiversity, one-third of the world’s tuna stocks, and the fourth largest coral reef system on the planet. PM Marape said PNG must ensure there is strategic leadership in the country to make sure that its maritime zones, including exclusive economic zone and its resources, are better protected and used sustainably for the country’s benefit now and for future generations. “The ocean is not just a resource, it is the lifeblood of our people, our culture, our identity and our economy”. Aligned with the country’s Medium-Term Development Plan (2023–2027) and Sustainable Development Goal 14, the Government has already taken decisive action. It has enacted the Marine Protected Areas Act targeting 30 percent marine protection by 2030, with over 17,000 square kilometres already designated; strengthened fisheries management under the enhanced regional cooperation and zone-based management; and intensified efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. This is in addition to becoming a State Party to the Port State Measures Agreement, besides preparing to ratify the World Trade Organization Fisheries Subsidies Agreement later this year,” he said. The UN Ocean Conference is held every four years at Heads of State and Government level and convened at different locations where governments volunteer to host the Conference. It is aimed at taking stock of the progress on SDG 14 and how to better facilitate countries around the world to deliver the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This year, the Conference is co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica.