Let's Get the Oceans Back on the Agenda: Macron Lays Down the Gauntlet Ahead of UN Ocean Conference in Nice
International leader Macron urges global participation prior to UN ocean conference, convening in Nice. - International leader Macron urges global response prior to United Nations ocean summit in the city of Nice
It's high time we put climate change, a threat not only to our planet but to our oceans as well, back in the spotlight, says Emmanuel Macron. Regrettably, it seems that talks of ocean conservation have waned in public discourse, but Macron insists that the reduction in funds for science is a colossal blunder, hinting at the USA's stance on the matter. Unsurprisingly, the United States won't be sending an official delegation to this year's UN ocean conference.
In the afternoon of the opening day, Sunday, Carsten Schneider, the Federal Environment Minister (SPD), made a splash during the ship parade to launch the ocean summit. He boarded the new research vessel "Malizia Explorer" of extreme sailor Boris Herrmann, emphasizing, "Marine research is the cornerstone of any effective ocean protection policy; we can't save what we don't know."
Schneider also sidled up to the President of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves, to chat about the training of West African marine protectors in Cabo Verde with German backing. These scholars will propose high-sea protected areas once the UN ratifies a corresponding treaty.
A gala dinner was held in the evening, with approximately 50 heads of state and government in attendance, including Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, and António Guterres, UN Secretary-General. The proceedings officially get underway on Monday, with delegates from about 130 states and 40 international organizations gathering for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
This conference plays a pivotal role as the most significant international summit for marine protection. Germany's objective is to propel the establishment of high-seas protected areas, reduce plastic waste, and impose a precautionary halt on deep-sea mining at the conference.
🔵 Three Key Goals of the UN Ocean Conference 🔵
- multilateral Processes: The conference endeavors to boost ambition for marine protection through the completion of multilateral processes related to marine environments, focusing on bolstering international cooperation and striking agreements to safeguard various marine ecosystems.[3][5]
- Financial Resources: Mobilizing finance is a significant goal, aiming to support the development of a sustainable blue economy and ensuring sufficient funding for ocean-related initiatives under Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), currently the least financed of all SDGs.[5]
- Marine Science and Policy: Strengthening marine science and policy is a key objective, aimed at enhancing policy-making through the dissemination of marine science research and bolstering the scientific basis for ocean governance.[5]
🇺🇸 USA's Role at the UN Ocean Conference 🇺🇸
Although the specifics of the USA's role in the 2025 UN Ocean Conference are not laid out in the provided information, it's customary for all UN Member States, including the United States, to participate by contributing to discussions, possibly making voluntary commitments, and joining international efforts to protect marine environments. Historically, the USA has played a substantial role in global environmental initiatives, and its participation would likely focus on advancing marine conservation and sustainable use goals.[2][3]
The conference culminates in the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan, consisting of a political declaration and commitments from various stakeholders, including countries like the United States.[5]
- Emmanuel Macron
- Nice
- UN
- Carsten Schneider
- Sunday
- Marine Protection
- USA
- SPD
- Boris Herrmann
The Commission has also been involved in the preparation of the draft directive on the protection of the marine environment, underscoring Germany's focus on marine science and policy during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice. President Macron's call to action emphasizes the importance of marine research in effectively addressing ocean conservation issues, a critical aspect of Schneider's afternoon remarks during the ship parade launching the ocean summit. While the United States won't be sending an official delegation, it's customary for all UN Member States, including the United States, to participate in such conferences, contributing to discussions and international efforts to protect marine environments.
