The UN Ocean Conference, the third and largest of its kind, concluded in Nice, France, with world leaders making significant strides towards marine protection while setting the stage for a crucial showdown over deep-sea mining regulations next month. The conference, attended by over 60 heads of state and government, alongside business leaders, scientists, and environmental advocates, highlighted the urgent need to address what the UN terms an “ocean emergency.” While progress was made on several fronts, including commitments to ratify a high seas treaty and expand marine protected areas, concerns remain regarding the lack of substantial financial pledges and the conspicuous omission of fossil fuels from the summit’s agenda.
A major achievement of the conference was the renewed commitment to the high seas treaty, a crucial agreement designed to safeguard marine life in international waters encompassing 60% of the world’s oceans. Nineteen countries formally ratified the treaty during the summit, bringing the total number of ratifications to 50. With 60 ratifications required for the treaty to enter into force, optimism reigned that this target would be met by September, paving the way for implementation by January 2026. This progress was hailed as a vital step towards establishing a comprehensive legal framework for protecting biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
The summit also witnessed a strong pushback against deep-sea mining, a controversial practice poised to extract valuable minerals from the ocean floor. France, along with other nations, voiced strong opposition to any initiatives that would permit deep-sea exploration, emphasizing the unknown ecological consequences of such activities. This stance sets the stage for a heated debate at the International Seabed Authority’s upcoming meeting, where regulations for deep-sea mining will be negotiated. Despite the vocal opposition, the global alliance against deep-sea mining only gained four new members during the summit, bringing the total to 37, highlighting the ongoing challenges in building a consensus against this emerging industry.
Furthermore, the conference addressed plastic pollution, another significant threat to marine ecosystems. Over 90 ministers called for a treaty to limit plastic production, a proposal met with resistance from oil-producing nations. This underscores the complex interplay between economic interests and environmental protection, a recurring theme in international environmental negotiations. The summit also served as a platform to champion science-based approaches to resource management, particularly in the unexplored depths of the ocean, a stance seen as a rebuke of former US President Donald Trump’s unilateral approach to resource exploitation.
While the conference yielded positive developments in terms of marine protection commitments, concerns were raised regarding the inadequacy of financial pledges. Developing nations, particularly small island states facing the brunt of climate change impacts, expressed disappointment over the limited financial support offered by wealthier nations. Despite private donors pledging approximately €8.7 billion over the next five years, the UN estimates that $175 billion annually is needed for sustainable ocean development. This funding gap highlights the ongoing challenge of securing sufficient resources to implement ambitious marine conservation initiatives.
Perhaps the most glaring omission from the summit’s agenda was the issue of fossil fuels, the primary driver of climate change and its associated impacts on the oceans, including warming, acidification, and sea-level rise. Critics pointed out the hypocrisy of discussing marine protection without addressing the root cause of many ocean-related problems. The final political statement adopted at the summit, while representing months of negotiations, failed to mention coal, oil, and gas, further underscoring this disconnect. This omission drew sharp criticism from environmental advocates who argued that a comprehensive approach to ocean conservation must necessarily include phasing out fossil fuels.
In conclusion, the UN Ocean Conference in Nice witnessed significant advancements in marine protection, particularly regarding the high seas treaty and the growing opposition to deep-sea mining. However, the conference also exposed critical shortcomings, notably the lack of adequate financial commitments and the failure to address the fundamental role of fossil fuels in the ocean crisis. While the summit provided a platform for crucial discussions and commitments, the true test of its success will lie in the concrete actions taken by nations in the coming months and years to translate these commitments into meaningful change for the world’s oceans. The upcoming negotiations on deep-sea mining and plastic pollution will prove crucial in determining the long-term impact of the conference and the future of our oceans.
