Emmanuel Macron Unveils Eight Objectives at the Nice Ocean Summit
Global leaders gather in Paris to address pressing ocean conservation challenges ahead of the UN Ocean Conference.
In a call for urgent global action to protect the world's oceans, French President Emmanuel Macron announced eight key objectives for the upcoming Nice Ocean Summit during a preparatory meeting in Paris.
The summit, scheduled from June 9 to 13, will serve as a platform for international dialogue among scientists, government officials, and stakeholders focused on ocean conservation.
The meeting, held at the Musée de la Marine, highlighted the critical state of ocean health, with attendees stressing the need for immediate and coordinated efforts to avert further damage.
Macron emphasized the significance of the summit in aligning global efforts to address ocean degradation.
Preceding the summit, the Blue Economy and Finance Forum will take place in Monaco on June 7 and 8, providing a forum for discussions on sustainable economic practices related to marine environments.
1. PROTECTION OF THE HIGH SEAS: Macron highlighted the importance of international treaties for the high seas, which account for 64% of ocean surface area.
A treaty on the protection of marine biodiversity in these areas has been adopted by 110 states, with the Nice Summit aiming to secure an additional 60 endorsements required for its enforcement.
2. COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE FISHING: Macron called attention to the imperative of ending overfishing, which poses a threat to global food security.
He noted that illegal fishing accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of total fish production and stressed the need for developing sustainable fishing practices that protect marine ecosystems.
3. ACHIEVING 30% OCEAN PROTECTION BY 2030: Currently, only 8.5% of oceans are protected.
Macron urged nations to announce initiatives for new marine protected areas during the summit, underscoring the urgent need to increase this figure significantly.
4. DECARBONIZATION OF MARITIME TRANSPORT: The French president expressed hope for tangible outcomes regarding maritime transport emissions, advocating for ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through substantial investments in sustainable fuels.
5. FIGHTING PLASTIC POLLUTION: Macron criticized previous international meetings on plastic pollution for failing to produce meaningful resolutions and called for a unified effort in Nice to address the issue, highlighting that the Mediterranean Sea is often regarded as one of the most polluted in the world.
6. MOBILIZING NEW FINANCING: Recognizing the ocean's role as a vital investment avenue, Macron emphasized the necessity of generating new financial resources, including philanthropic contributions, to support ocean-related initiatives.
7. DEPLOYING LOCAL ACTIONS: Macron announced plans for a coalition of coastal cities and regions, led by Christian Estrosi, to enhance cooperation and funding opportunities.
The European Union is expected to participate, with a European Ocean Pact set to be introduced on June 9 during the summit.
8. SUPPORTING SCIENCE: The need for public policy grounded in scientific evidence was highlighted, with Macron warning against the funding cuts from states disputing scientific findings.
He reiterated the urgency of preserving the planet, stating that there is no alternative to Earth, emphasizing the collective responsibility to maintain its viability.