In the lead-up to the Nice Summit on the oceans, France's objectives remain somewhat unclear a month before the event.
The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, a Complicated Dance
With just a few weeks left till the UNOC3, slated from June 9 to 13, it's tricky to pinpoint what the French executive hopes to accomplish during this event. A grand declaration of unity against the US under President Trump, or a gathering focusing on specific issues such as pollution and illegal fishing without a rapid global action plan? "Navigating shifting sands in a tense geopolitical climate and economic whirlwind, this meeting's organization and outcomes have become quite the challenge"*, a diplomatic source confides, hinting at the uncertainty surrounding the attendees' roster.
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On May 5, ecological transition minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, gathered the France Ocean Committee to discuss updates on maritime issues prior to the UNOC3. The goal - sharing the latest reflections with all concerned parties to have a united front during the conference.
The conference objectives are twofold:
- Boost Action and Collaboration: France seeks to hasten action and propel all players towards marine conservation and sustainable usage, aiming to support more urgent moves to protect marine resources, identify means to execute Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), and develop long-term strategies to meet its targets [1][2].
- Framework for Ocean Governance: By constructing a framework through the Nice Ocean Agreements, France hopes the scientific community can inform and steer climate action by world leaders and governments, similar to the role of the IPCC [1].
Besides this, France also intends to make the conference a collaborative platform for states and the private sector to pool resources for the well-being of the ocean economy. The aim is to inspire solidarity by supporting developing countries in tackling novel challenges like the blue economy and illegal fishing [1].
Key Issues: Pollution and Illegal Fishing
- Strengthening International Agreements: By finalizing outstanding multilateral processes focusing on ocean protection, the conference can work towards stronger international accords addressing pollution and overfishing [3][4].
- Financial Resources Mobilization: France aims to rally capital for SDG 14 implementation, promoting investments in a sustainable blue economy, inclusive of projects targeting marine pollution reduction and illegal fishing [3][4].
- Evidence-Based Policymaking: A stronger focus on marine science will inform evidence-based policy decisions, potentially expediting effective strategies against pollution and illegal fishing [3][4].
- International Support and Cooperation: France plans to aid developing countries in addressing illegal fishing through international solidarity and support during the conference [1].
- Emmanuel Macron's ambitions for the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, include a focus on climate change and environmental science, particularly in the areas of pollution and illegal fishing.
- Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the French ecological transition minister, has been gathering relevant parties to discuss maritime issues and share reflections ahead of the UNOC3.
- The goals of the UNOC3 include boosting action and collaboration for marine conservation, accelerating moves to protect marine resources, and developing long-term strategies to meet its targets.
- France also aims to construct a framework for ocean governance by mobilizing financial resources for SDG 14 implementation, promoting evidence-based policymaking in marine science, and strengthening international agreements on ocean protection.
- The conference also intends to serve as a collaborative platform for states and the private sector, inspiring solidarity by supporting developing countries in tackling challenges like the blue economy and illegal fishing.
- The geopolitical climate and general news surrounding the UNOC3 have added complications, with uncertainty surrounding the attendees' roster and the conference's potential outcomes.
