The third U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, France, is pressing nations to translate promises into real ocean protection. French President Emmanuel Macron urged 'words to deeds' for safeguarding oceans, while UN officials highlighted the need to ratify the High Seas Treaty to protect international waters and meet the '30x30' target of conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030.
Acting to protect the oceans is the focus of a UN conference
Emmanuel MacronNiceOceansEconomic policyGovernment policyFranceClimate and environmentMinna EppsFrance governmentWorld Wide Fund for NatureWar and unrestEuropean UnionInternational agreementsFabien BoileauHubert FlavignyMauro RandoneUnited NationsBiodiversityPeter ThomsonEnvironmentPoliticsAnnika Hammerschlag
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The third U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, France, is pressing nations to translate promises into real ocean protection. French President Emmanuel Macron urged 'words to deeds' for safeguarding oceans, while UN officials highlighted the need to ratify the High Seas Treaty to protect international waters and meet the '30x30' target of conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030.
Trending- 1 1963: Protections in place at Port-Cros National Park.
- 2 2008: Golfe du Lion designated for protection.
- 3 2023: High Seas Treaty adopted.
- 4 2024: Over 100 bottom-trawling vessels recorded in French marine nature parks.
- 5 May (recent): Greenpeace drops boulders in Golfe du Lion.
- 6 Monday (June 9, 2025): Third U.N. Ocean Conference opens in Nice, France.
- 7 Current: 32 countries have ratified the High Seas Treaty (60 needed).
- 8 2030: Target for 30x30 pledge.
- 9 July (upcoming): Nice Ocean Action Plan to be presented at UN in New York.
- Increased pressure on nations to ratify the High Seas Treaty
- Potential for more marine protected areas
- Ongoing debate about the effectiveness of current protection measures
- Continued advocacy and direct action by environmental groups
- Urgent need to address ocean degradation for climate goals
What: The third U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, France, is focused on urging nations to move from declarations to real protection for the oceans. Key agenda items include the ratification of the High Seas Treaty (which would allow marine protected areas in international waters) and achieving the '30x30' target (conserving 30% of land and sea by 2030).
When: Monday (June 9, 2025, conference opened); 2023 (High Seas Treaty adopted); 2030 (target for 30x30 pledge); 2024 (over 100 bottom-trawling vessels recorded in French marine parks); May (Greenpeace dropped boulders); 1963 (Port-Cros National Park protections in place).
Where: Nice, France (conference location); international waters (high seas); France (French waters, Port-Cros National Park, Golfe du Lion); Europe (EU waters).
Why: The ocean is critical for climate stability and life, but only 2.7% is effectively protected. There's a growing gap between protection declarations and real-world conservation, with issues like unregulated fishing in high seas and harmful activities (e.g., bottom trawling) in designated protected areas.
How: The conference aims to build momentum for the ratification of the High Seas Treaty (currently 32 out of 60 needed ratifications). Leaders are making calls for action, and environmental groups are highlighting the need for stricter enforcement and taking direct action against destructive practices.