In a landmark decision at IUCN’s 2025 World Conservation Congress, motion 056 Advancing an Ethical Human-Ocean Relationship - was passed with amendments, marking a shift in how ocean governance is framed globally. The motion calls on IUCN members and stakeholders to move beyond traditional conservation tools and adopt ethical, values-based and rights-based approaches toward oceans.

The motion emphasises that humanity depends on the health, integrity and ecological processes of the ocean. It highlights Rights of Nature as a legal framework: recognising oceans not simply as resources, but as an entity with intrinsic value. IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. The motion will be guiding IUCN’s future policy and organizational direction. Its passage signals growing momentum inside the global conservation community for rethinking ocean governance—not just through regulation and protected areas, but through ethical frameworks, legal recognition of ocean rights, and more inclusive governance structures. 

"We look forward to working together on implementation and enforcement of of this motion to not only create an ethical human-ocean relationship, but a future in which we live in harmony with nature, where all beings are respected and protected", says Michelle Bender from Ocean Vision Legal.

Read the motion

Read the Policy Brief where Ocean Vision Legal explains the motion