Nice, France—As the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) concludes in Nice, France, faith leaders were honored to join a powerful convergence of voices—from diplomats to scientists to Indigenous leaders—calling for urgent action to restore humanity’s relationship with the ocean. In a historic first, they hand-delivered Turning the Tide: A Multi-faith Declaration for the Ocean to UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and Ambassador Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean.

Signed by over 80 faith-based institutions and conservation groups, it is the largest interfaith call to ocean protection and the first time such a declaration has been formally presented to the UN. As Inger Andersen affirmed after the meeting, “people of all faiths are unified in their calls for urgent, transformative action to save our ocean, with human rights centered in all ocean governance and conservation.” 

Faith leaders reflect on their experience at UNOC3 and share how this moment is shaping the path forward:

“In Hinduism, the ocean is revered as the embodiment of a divine Goddess who sustains all life,” said Karmacharya Vijah Ramjattan, Founder of United Madrassi Association. “Eco-worship teaches us that every aspect of nature is sacred, and it is our duty to protect the oceans through both reverence and action. By putting our Devotion-in-Motion through actions like coastal clean-ups, I have witnessed the importance of uniting coastal communities in caring for these sacred waters. Attending the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) has deepened my understanding that water and the ocean should never divide us, but rather bring us together in shared responsibility. As our faith teaches, 'Faith without action is like a tree without roots,' and it is up to us to act in harmony, ensuring the ocean remains a source of life for all, now and in the future.”

“As we move forward from UNOC3, we have to start living as real followers of Jesus–and it will cost us,” said Revd Glen Ruffle, Assistant Permanent Representative to the UN for the Anglican Communion. “The convenient flights, the plastic bottles, the shares in oil, the lack of interest in far-off sinking islands–these things have to end. Instead, we need to be marked by our radical love for our neighbours, near and far, and be willing to carry their suffering with them, united in caring for the oceans that sustain us all.”

“I am informed from my morning Sikh prayer that “Air is the Guru, water is the father and Earth is the great mother of us all,” said Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Vice-Chair of Religions for Peace UK. “Water is the elixir of life; without it life on our planet would not exist. As all Creation is connected so we need to connect, collaborate and catalyse to protect our oceans.”

“Ocean conservation is a moral and spiritual imperative for Muslims because the Qur’an teaches that humans are stewards (khulafā’) of the Earth, entrusted with maintaining the balance (mīzān) of creation,” said Kamran Shezad, Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES/EcoIslam) and Al-Mizan co-author. “The ocean, as a sign (āyah) of God’s power and generosity, must be treated with reverence and care. Many Muslim communities live in coastal regions and are already experiencing the impacts of overfishing, pollution and sea level rise–issues highlighted at UNOC3. These challenges threaten livelihoods, food security and cultural heritage, making the global ocean crisis deeply personal and immediate. Faith-based communities are able to mobilise powerful moral narratives, inspire behavioural change and advocate for justice centred policies. Grounded in values of stewardship, compassion and accountability to the Creator, faith communities can help bridge the gap between environmental science and local action.”

“In all this, we take our lead from ocean communities, who see clearly the urgency of the climate change threat and are often the first to act,” said Martha Jarvis, Permanent Representative to the UN for the Anglican Communion. “Indigenous Anglicans from the Pacific have inspired others to rethink their relationship with the ocean–understanding it as water of life and hope, the lungs of our world–and to rethink the consumption and emission patterns that pollute it. We follow a God of reconciliation and it is our responsibility to reconcile the damage caused to God’s creation and to those who feel the consequences most acutely.”