Emmanuel Macron Laments Decline in Ocean Protection Priority at UN Summit in Nice
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International leader Macron advocates global initiative in preparation for the United Nations Ocean Conference, to be held in Nice. - International Leader Macron Urges Global Response in Prep for Ocean Summit in Nice at the United Nations
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his disappointment that climate change's devastating impact on the oceans no longer appears as a top concern in public discourse. He underscored the grave error of allocating lesser funds for scientific research, particularly in the United States, which has decided not to send a formal delegation to the UN Ocean Conference this year.
German Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) took part in the afternoon session, sailing aboard extreme sailor Boris Herrmann's research vessel "Malizia Explorer" during the Ocean Summit's kick-off ship parade. Schneider highlighted that marine research forms the backbone of informed ocean protection initiatives, as "what we understand, we can protect" according to his spokesperson.
During the event, Schneider also discussed marine training collaboration for West African protectors with the President of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves. The German-supported program aims to establish marine-protected areas once a relevant UN treaty has been ratified by member states.
Sunday evening saw President Macron welcoming around 50 heads of state and government, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, to a formal dinner. The UN's third Ocean Conference, taking place from Monday in Nice, France, will draw representatives from approximately 130 nations and 40 international organizations.
The UN Ocean Conference, hosted every four years, serves as the preeminent platform for global ocean conservation discussions. Germany intends to make a strong push at the summit for the swift establishment of protected areas in the high seas, the reduction of plastic waste, and a temporary moratorium on deep-sea mining.
- Emmanuel Macron
- Nice
- UN
- Carsten Schneider
- Marine protection
- USA
- Sunday
- UN Ocean Conference
The 2025 Ocean Conference: Key Goals and Discussions
- Preserving Ocean Ecosystems and Ensuring Sustainable Management:
- The conference has prioritized halting ocean degradation and fostering the sustainable use of marine resources, aiming to support UN Sustainable Development Goal 14[2].
- A key objective is the protection of at least 30% of the ocean and the sustainable management of the remaining portions[1].
- Accelerating Action and Mobilizing Actors:
- The conference's overriding goal is to encourage action and rally all stakeholders in the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean[3].
- A political declaration (Nice Ocean Action Plan) has been proposed to serve as a guide for future global ambition[3].
- Confronting Deep-Sea Mining and Other Threats:
- The conference is vital in addressing deep-sea mining, a practice that poses significant risks to marine ecosystems[2].
Influential Figures and Countries
- Emmanuel Macron and France:
- Co-hosting the conference with Costa Rica, France is demonstrating its commitment to ocean protection leadership[3].
- Macron's government is actively engaging global partners to enhance ocean protection and boost the ratification process of the UN High Seas Treaty[3].
- US Participation:
- The United States is known to participate in international ocean conservation initiatives, but it has not made any formal commitments regarding the 2023 conference.
- Carsten Schneider's Involvement:
- Although not specified in the provided sources, Schneider likely contributes to various climate and ocean-related discussions at the conference.
- Germany's Objectives:
- While not explicitly mentioned in the provided sources, Germany advocates for European Union environment objectives, which may also apply to ocean conservation efforts, including the ratification of the High Seas Treaty[3].
- The Commission, in light of the UN Ocean Conference, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the marine environment.
- President Emmanuel Macron, at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, emphasized the importance of environmental-science research in addressing climate-change and ocean degradation.
- The political discussion at the 2025 Ocean Conference is expected to include the role of environmental-science and its impact on the management and preservation of ocean ecosystems, addressing concerns such as deep-sea mining.
