At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged nations to move from 'plunder to protection' to save the world's seas, calling for bold pledges including protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 and tackling plastic pollution and overfishing. French President Emmanuel Macron also called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, criticizing its potential for irreversible damage.
World must move from ‘plunder to protection’ to save oceans, UN chief warns
EnvironmentOceansAntónio GuterresEmmanuel MacronFranceEuropeWorld
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️At the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged nations to move from 'plunder to protection' to save the world's seas, calling for bold pledges including protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 and tackling plastic pollution and overfishing. French President Emmanuel Macron also called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, criticizing its potential for irreversible damage.
Trending- 1 2023: High Seas Treaty signed.
- 2 April (recent): Donald Trump moves to fast-track deep-sea mining under US law.
- 3 Sunday (June 8, 2025): UK announces ban on bottom trawling in half of its protected marine areas.
- 4 Monday (June 9, 2025): UN Ocean Conference opens in Nice, France.
- 5 July (upcoming): International Seabed Authority (ISA) to meet to discuss a global mining code.
- 6 2030: Target for protecting 30% of oceans (30x30 pledge).
- Increased pressure on nations to ratify the High Seas Treaty and meet biodiversity targets
- Potential for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining
- Ongoing debate and action against destructive fishing practices
- Continued degradation of ocean health if actions are insufficient
What: The UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, saw calls from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron for nations to increase ocean protection, including a target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, tackle plastic pollution and overfishing, and implement the High Seas Treaty. Macron specifically urged a moratorium on deep-sea mining, which is gaining urgency due to actions like Donald Trump's move to fast-track it under US law.
When: Monday (June 9, 2025, the day the conference opened); April (Donald Trump moved to fast-track deep-sea mining); July (International Seabed Authority (ISA) to meet); 2023 (High Seas Treaty signed); 2030 (target for 30x30 biodiversity goal); Sunday (June 8, 2025, UK announced bottom trawling ban).
Where: Nice, France (conference location); high seas (international waters); US (Donald Trump's actions); UK (bottom trawling ban); Golfe du Lion, Mediterranean (Greenpeace action).
Why: Oceans are facing a crisis due to plunder (overfishing, pollution, potential deep-sea mining), threatening biodiversity and climate stability. There's an urgent need to protect marine ecosystems and ensure sustainable use of resources.
How: Through a UN Ocean Conference, leaders like Guterres and Macron are urging countries to make bold pledges, ratify the High Seas Treaty (aiming for 60 ratifications), impose moratoriums on deep-sea mining, and increase protection of national waters. Environmental groups are also taking direct action (e.g., Greenpeace dropping boulders).